# NTSB CEN20CA221: Air Tractor AT502, N5092J, Hiawatha, KS, June 8, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 8, 2020, 15:25 local (20:25 UTC) - Place: Hiawatha, KS - Coordinates: 39.882499, -95.518333 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8825&lon=-95.5183&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 101410 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20CA221 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101410/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101410 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA221 ## Probable cause The pilot’s decision to attempt the takeoff with a tailwind in high density altitude conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 46 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis Prior to the aerial application flight, the airplane was loaded with about 3,400 pounds (lbs) of dry fertilizer and contained about 140 gallons of fuel. The airplane’s estimated weight at the time of the accident was 9,000 lbs, with a maximum gross weight of 9,400 lbs. The pilot reported the temperature was about 95° F, the wind was from 150°; about 6 knots, and runway 35 was rough with tall grass. The calculated density altitude was about 3,900 ft. During the takeoff, the pilot attempted to rotate; however, "the aircraft was not ready to fly." The airplane impacted a field about 500 ft north of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the forward fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot's recommendation to prevent the accident was "carry lighter loads, less fuel on hot days." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5092J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5092J-2021-10-02), registration cancelled 2021-10-02, S/N 502B-0438, built 1997 (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-0438 - Year built: 1997 - Airframe hours: 11028 - Engines: Pratt and Whitney PT6A-34AG 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Mcelwain, Floyd W - Registered owner: Floyd's Flying Service Llc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 12, 2020, 53 hours before - Departed: K87, Hiawatha, KS - Destination: K87, Hiawatha, KS - Airport: K87, Hiawatha Municipal Airport, runway 35, 3,400 × 100 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Stall warning system, Electronic multifunction display, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 25, 2019; seat: center; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,241 total, 122 in this make and model, 1,184 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days, 48 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 13 knots, gusting 24 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.70 inHg - Observed at: FNB, 12 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 20200608011769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200608011769A), Jun 8, 2020: Air Tractor Inc AT-502B, Hiawatha, KS, Substantial damage. The pilot stated that at the time of accident he looked at the windsock and said that the winds had died down and elected to depart on runway 35. He started… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 9, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101410. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485195&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Site Photograph (item 2, .PDF, 230 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485196&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Site%20Photograph-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.