# NTSB CEN23LA244: Air Tractor AT-502, N290LA, Sturgis, SD, June 18, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: June 18, 2023, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Sturgis, SD · Runway 11 at 49B.
- Coordinates: 44.41817, -103.37577 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4182&lon=-103.3758&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- 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 Rapid City FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 192396
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA244
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192396/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192396
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA244

## Probable cause

The pilot’s improper timing to initiate beta mode with the propeller and his failure to maintain directional during the full load landing that resulted in a runway excursion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of recent experience with performing a full load landing and the high-density altitude that likely affected aircraft performance during the landing.

## 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-502A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0390306), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Action: incorrect action sequence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041020): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041020/cases.md?model=0390306), [All aircraft, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041020/cases.md)
- [Experience/qualifications: recent experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031045): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031045/cases.md?model=0390306), [All aircraft, 31 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031045/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-502A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0390306), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=0390306), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/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-502A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=0390306), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=0390306), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0390306), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=0390306), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=0390306), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=0390306), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)
- [Post-impact: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=0390306), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)
- [Post-impact: Evacuation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460/sequence.md?model=0390306), [All aircraft, 103 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported he departed in the airplane with about 660 lbs of fuel and about 3,500 lbs of liquid chemical for application to a pasture. After arriving at the pasture, the chemical dispersal system was malfunctioning, and the pilot decided to return to the airport. During the landing to the first quarter of the runway, the airplane was about 125 mph, with “half flap” applied, and the tailwheel was locked. As the tailwheel touched down on the dry concrete runway, the pilot initiated beta mode with the propeller, and the airplane “started veering to the right.” The pilot assessed that he “reversed the propeller too aggressively and too soon.” The airplane departed the runway to the right, the left main landing gear separated after impacting a ditch, and the airplane came to rest upright on a grass field. The pilot was able to egress from the airplane without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and the left wing. The operator reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or the engine that would have precluded normal operation. A postaccident examination of the chemical dispersal system found foreign object debris that was likely blocking the flow of the chemical. Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 Agricultural Aircraft Operations does not contain full load landing training and recurrency requirements. The pilot reported the last time he performed a full load landing was about 2 years prior. The estimated density altitude for the airport was 6,101 ft.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N290LA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N290LA), registered now, S/N 502A-3137, built 2018 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT-502 (A)
- Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-502A](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-502a) (registry code 0390306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-140AG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-140ag) (registry code 51800, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 502A-3137
- Year built: 2018
- Airframe hours: 487
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-140AG 867 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Ascend Ag Inc, doing business as Ascend Ag Inc
- Registered owner: Ascend Ag Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 15, 2023, 27 hours before
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 49B, Sturgis Muni, runway 11, 5,100 × 75 ft, concrete
- Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 22, 2022; seat: single; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 1,927 total, 690 in this make and model, 1,927 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 17 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.60 inHg
- Observed at: KRCA, 20 nm away
- METAR: KRCA 181855Z AUTO 18017KT 10SM CLR 29/09 A2960 RMK AO2 PK WND 16027/19 SLP001 T02870089 $

## 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 20230618005079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230618005079A), Jun 18, 2023: Air Tractor Inc AT-502A, Sturgis, SD, Substantial damage. On June 18, 2023 at 1600 mt a Air tractor AT-502A [privacy data omitted]ground looped during landing rollout during an aerial application flight . VMC flight…

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 27, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192396. 7.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 7 pages, 2.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15775196&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN23LA244%20NTSB%20Form%206120_1%20Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 2, PDF, 8 pages, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15774388&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photographs-Rel.pdf
- Pilot and operator additional information (item 3, PDF, 5 pages, 305 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15778504&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN23LA244%20Pilot%20and%20Operator%20Additional%20Information%20Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Additional documents (item 4, PDF, 7 pages, 647 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15775859&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Additional%20Documents-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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