# NTSB CEN20LA143: Air Tractor AT 502, N9185D, Pecan Gap, TX, April 8, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 7, 2020, 19:45 local (Apr 8, 2020, 00:45 UTC) - Place: Pecan Gap, TX - Coordinates: 33.436111, -95.849166 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4361&lon=-95.8492&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 101154 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20LA143 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101154/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101154 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA143 ## Probable cause The pilot did not maintain adequate clearance from tree, which resulted in a collision with a tree and subsequent impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=0390303), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=0390303), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=0390303), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was conducting an aerial application flight. There were no witnesses to the accident, but the wreckage path was consistent with an in-flight collision with a tree near the edge of the field and subsequent impact with terrain. Examination of the wreckage revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. An autopsy was not performed; however, a review of the pilot’s medical history and postaccident medical treatment did not reveal any evidence that a preexisting medical condition contributed to the accident. The evidence is consistent with the pilot not maintaining adequate clearance from the tree, and the airplane’s collision with a tree and impact with terrain. ## Factual narrative On April 7, 2020, about 1945 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502 airplane, N9185D, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Pecan Gap, Texas. The pilot received fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 agricultural flight. The pilot was conducting aerial applications when the accident occurred. There were no witnesses to the accident. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who responded to the site noted that the airplane collided with the top of a tree at the edge of the field before it impacted the field. Several airplane pieces, including the engine, were found along the debris path to the main wreckage. A post-crash fire consumed a majority of the fuselage. There were no witnesses to the accident. The engine impact-separated into two pieces during the accident sequence; rotational scoring was observed on the turbine blades. Three propeller blades remained in the propeller hub, which also remained attached to the front section of the engine. Two propeller blade tips were sheared off; each blade exhibited lengthwise and chordwise twisting. After the wreckage was recovered, National Transportation Safety Board investigators examined the fuselage at the salvage facility. The post-crash fire and impact damage limited the extent of the examination; however, no pre-impact discrepancies were noted with the flight controls. The pilot initially survived the accident and received medical care. Neither an autopsy nor toxicological test was performed; however, a review of the pilot’s FAA medical history and medical treatment did not find any evidence of a preexisting medical condition that could have contributed to the accident. Photo 1: Airplane wreckage FAA photo ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9185D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9185D-2020-08-19), registration cancelled 2020-08-19, S/N 502-0200, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT 502 (Undesignat) - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-502](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-502) (registry code 0390303) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52032, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 502-0200 - Year built: 1992 - Airframe hours: 10500 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6 turbo prop - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 9, 2020 - Departed: Pecan Gap, TX - Destination: Pecan Gap, TX - Equipment: Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: fatal; commercial, private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: single; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 10,000 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: KPRX ## 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 20200407001749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200407001749A), Apr 7, 2020: Air Tractor Inc AT-502, Pecan Gap, TX, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. On 04/08/2020 aircraft N9185D while crop-dusting clipped a tree and crashed into a field. Crash was followed by a post-crash fire resulting in the pilot being… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 17, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101154. 18.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 8 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11943003&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memo (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 164 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11943264&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memo-Rel.pdf - Exam memo (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 171 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12886288&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memo%20exam-Rel.pdf - Wreckage (non-ntsb photo) (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 211 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11942103&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=On%20site%20photo-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 5, PDF, 6 pages, 6.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11943013&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=photos-Rel.pdf - Maintenance records (excerpts) (item 6, PDF, 7 pages, 9.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11943274&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MX%20records%20(Excerpts)_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 7, PDF, 1 page, 577 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11942113&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Rogers%20Wreckage%20Release_Redacted-Rel.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.