# NTSB CEN22LA386: Air Tractor AT-802A, N830DA, Onalaska, TX, August 9, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report
- Date: August 9, 2022, 17:09 local (22:09 UTC)
- Place: Onalaska, TX
- Coordinates: 30.774627, -95.11671 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.7746&lon=-95.1167&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA, Air Tractor
- NTSB case key (mKey): 105736
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN22LA386
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105736/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105736
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA386

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff from a lake in gusting wind conditions.

## 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-802A, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0390308), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: high wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-802A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055/cases.md?model=0390308), [All aircraft, 112 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055/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-802A, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0390308), [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); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-802A, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0390308), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-802A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=0390308), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot was participating in firefighting operations and reported seven water tank re-fills (scoops) from the lake from the accident location before he stopped to refuel. Upon returning for the eighth scoop, the wind had increased, and the lake surface conditions were rougher than before. The pilot found it difficult to fill the water tank in the rough surface conditions and decided to abort his scoop run early. He closed the water filling scoops while trying to keep the nose of the airplane straight. He added power and rudder and had not transitioned to flight when the nose veered uncontrollably, and the airplane rotated almost 180°. The floats separated from the airplane and the right wing struck the water and sustained substantial damaged. Examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Damage signatures did not indicate the airplane hit an object in the water. Recorded data showed the propeller rpm decreased to zero over three seconds, followed by the airplane rotating 153° to the right. A weather report from a nearby airport showed gusty wind conditions and the terminal aerodrome forecast (TAF) predicted thunderstorms in the vicinity around the time of the accident.

## Factual narrative

On August 9, 2022, about 1709 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-802A, N830DA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident on Lake Livingston, near Onalaska, Texas. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial firefighting flight. According to the pilot, he was flying as part of a formation of three firefighting airplanes that had been dispatched to a fire between Groveton and Corrigan, Texas. After 7 water “scooping” iterations, the flight of three refueled, then returned to the lake to “scoop” more water. The pilots noted that the wind had changed and estimated the wind to be at least 20 knots. The lake looked rougher than before, but they agreed it looked workable. The accident pilot stated that the approach and touchdown were normal, but the water was “very choppy.” The pilot decided to abort the water scooping run early because of the lake’s rough surface conditions. He raised the scoops while trying to keep the nose of the airplane straight. He described the airplane at this point as being solidly on the water and not transitioning. He continued to add power and rudder when the nose of the airplane veered uncontrollably and spun almost 180° around its vertical axis. The floats separated from the airplane and the right wing was substantially damaged. The airplane came to a stop in an upright position, the pilot egressed, swam away from it, and was rescued by a civilian boat. The airplane was recovered from the lake and examined. The examination revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies. No evidence was found to suggest that the airplane impacted an object in the lake. According to data downloaded from the airplane’s Electronics International MVP-50T electronic engine display, at 1709:02 the propeller rpm began to decrease from 1,660 rpm. At 17:09:05, the propeller rpm was at zero and over the course of the next five seconds, the airplane heading changed from 170° to 323° (about 30° per second). The reported weather conditions at Conroe/North Houston Regional Airport (CXO), Conroe, Texas, around the time of the accident included wind from 120° at 10 knots with gusts to 20 knots. The TAF for the airport predicted thunderstorms in the vicinity around the time of the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N830DA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N830DA), registered now, S/N 802A-0930, built 2022 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT-802A
- Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-802A](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-802a) (registry code 0390308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67F](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-67f) (registry code 52290, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 802A-0930
- Year built: 2022
- Airframe hours: 105
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67F 1600 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Firefighting, Part 137
- Operator: AERO SPRAY INC DBA Dauntless Air
- Registered owner: AERO SPRAY INC DBA Dauntless Air
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 3, 2022
- Departed: LFK, Lufkin, TX
- Destination: LFK, Lufkin, TX
- Airport: LFK, Angelina County
- Equipment: Angle of attack indicator, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Satellite tracking device, Onboard weather, Heads up display, Handheld GPS, Electronic primary flight display

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 21, 2021; seat: single; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 22,788 total, 397 in this make and model, 17,288 as pilot in command, 206 in the last 90 days, 87 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observed at: KCXO, 30 nm away
- METAR: VFR METAR KCXO 092153Z 12011G20KT 10SM FEW065 36/21 A2997 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT NE AND E SLP143 T03560211= 
 Accident 2215Z 
VFR METAR KCXO 092253Z 15010G19KT 10SM CLR 35/21 A2996 RMK AO2 SLP142 T03500206= 


## 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 20220809009439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220809009439A), Aug 9, 2022: Air Tractor Inc AT-802A, Onalaska, TX, Substantial damage. During a firefighting mission, the pilot in formation as #2 proceeded to scoop water from lake livingston to fill hopper. During the procedure, the aircraft…

## Docket (9 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 18, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105736. 9.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 692 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16227579&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20-%20pilot%20final_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Reports from parties to the investigation - air tractor (item 2, PDF, 5 pages, 210 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16226993&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN22LA386%20-%20Air%20Tractor%20Notes_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Correspondence - FAA inspector (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 70 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16718989&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20-%20FAA%20correspondence-Rel.pdf
- Meteorology (item 4, PDF, 14 pages, 921 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16740589&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN22LA386%20-%20MOR%20-%20Wx%20Information-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 5, PDF, 7 pages, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16741654&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN22LA386%20-%20Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf
- Electronic devices - specialist's factual report (item 6, PDF, 11 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16227816&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN22LA386%20Electronic%20Devices%20-%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20Report-Rel.pdf
- Attachment 1 to electronic devices - specialist's factual report (item 7, CSV, 395 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16227050&FileExtension=csv&FileName=CEN22LA386%20Attachment%201%20to%20Electronic%20Devices%20-%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20Report-Rel.csv
- Statement of party representatives to NTSB investigation (item 8, PDF, 2 pages, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16227589&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Party%20Forms_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 9, PDF, 1 page, 105 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16227714&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Wreckage%20Release%20Form%20-%20signed%20(N830DA)_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.

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