# NTSB CEN21LA254: Air Tractor AT-602, N51037, Drew, MS, June 4, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 4, 2021, 16:25 local (21:25 UTC) - Place: Drew, MS - Coordinates: 33.857278, -90.612556 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8573&lon=-90.6126&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 103225 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21LA254 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103225/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103225 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA254 ## Probable cause A loss of control during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined. ## 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 · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that the airplane had just been loaded with fertilizer for an aerial application flight and that the fuel tanks were about ¾ full. The last memory he had of the event was the start of the takeoff roll. There were no witnesses to the accident. A ground scar was present along the runway with the left navigation light embedded in the scar. The airplane sustained substantial damage to wings, ailerons, and rudder. Flight control continuity was established from the control stick to the aileron and elevator control surfaces and from the rudder pedals to the rudder. The tailwheel lock was found engaged and a functional test revealed no anomalies. Engine control continuity was established from the power quadrant to the engine and allowed for unrestricted movement of the power lever, propeller control lever, and condition lever. No anomalies or malfunctions were found that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the loss of control during takeoff could not be determined based on the available information. ## Factual narrative On June 4, 2021, about 1625 eastern daylight time, an Air Tractor AT602, N51037, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Drew, Mississippi. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 137 aerial application flight. The pilot stated that the airplane had just been loaded with about 4,000 lbs of dry fertilizer for the application flight and that the fuel tanks were about ¾ full (150 gal). The last memory he had of the flight was the start of the takeoff roll. There were no witnesses to the accident. A ground scar was present along the runway with the left navigation light embedded in the scar. The airplane sustained substantial damage to wings, ailerons, and rudder. Flight control continuity was established from the control stick to the aileron and elevator control surfaces and from the rudder pedals to the rudder. The tailwheel lock was found engaged and a functional test revealed no anomalies. Engine control continuity was established from the power quadrant to the engine and allowed for unrestricted movement of the power lever, propeller control lever, and condition lever. The N1 section of the engine was inspected using a borescope and no anomalies were noted. All 5 blades of the propeller were bent aft and the pitch links for the #2 and #3 blades were fractured, consistent with the engine producing power at the time of impact. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N51037](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51037-2023-06-26), registration cancelled 2023-06-26, S/N 602-0464, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT-602 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-602](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-602) (registry code 0390309) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-66 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-66-series) (registry code 52118, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 602-0464 - Year built: 1997 - Airframe hours: 9246.1 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-60AG 1020 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Boyle Flying Service Inc - Registered owner: Boyle Flying Service Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2020, 174 hours before - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: N/A - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 24, 2021; seat: single; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 6,500 total, 140 in this make and model, 6,250 as pilot in command, 175 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: KRNV, 7 nm away - METAR: KRNV 041915Z AUTO 11004KT 10SM CLR 29/16 A3002 RMK AO2 T02940155 ## 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 20210604007019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210604007019A), Jun 4, 2021: Air Tractor Inc AT-602, Drew, MS, Substantial damage. Drew, MS: N51037, AT602, crashed for unknown reasons shortly after takeoff in a field located at 33.857278N090.612556W. (Delayed notification) POB: 1,… ## Other investigations on N51037 (1) 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. - [NTSB ERA12CA275](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA275), Apr 9, 2012: Air Tractor AT-602 (N51037), Ruleville, MS, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and in-flight fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 25, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103225. 2.4 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13085387&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Reporting%20Form_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 64 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13089188&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Interview-Rel.pdf - Examination summary (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 200 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13084446&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Examination%20Summary-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 797 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13085397&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.