# NTSB CEN20CA190: Air Tractor AT502, N571LA, Bunkie, LA, May 23, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 23, 2020, 15:59 local (20:59 UTC) - Place: Bunkie, LA - Coordinates: 30.930555, -92.179168 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.9306&lon=-92.1792&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 101323 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20CA190 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101323/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101323 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA190 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that during takeoff, when he pushed the control stick forward to raise the tail of the airplane, the airplane went to the left. He tried to correct back to the right but was unsuccessful. In an effort to prevent an accident, he decided to attempt the takeoff and became airborne briefly before the wheels impacted the sugarcane field. The airplane nosed over and sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and rudder. He stated that he was wearing a helmet and only received minor injuries during the accident. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N571LA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N571LA-2022-12-19), registration cancelled 2022-12-19, S/N 502B-2571, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT502 (B) - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-502B](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-502b) (registry code 0390307) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 502B-2571 - Year built: 2005 - Engines: Pratt and Whitney PT-6A turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Gypsy Air Inc - Registered owner: Gypsy Air Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: 2LA4, Bunkie, LA - Destination: 2LA4, Bunkie, LA - Airport: 2LA4, Bunkie Flying Service, runway 17, 5,000 × 100 ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, waiver time limited special; seat: single; flight hours: 24,000 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: 30 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20200523007129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200523007129A), May 23, 2020: Air Tractor Inc AT-502B, Bunkie, LA, Substantial damage. N571LA AT-502-B, pilot reported brakes locked during take-off on runway 17L. Aircraft went off left side of runway into a sugar cane field and flipped over.… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 24, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101323. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot Interview (item 1, .PDF, 222 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485552&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Interview-Master.PDF - Photos (item 2, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485553&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.