# NTSB CEN23LA321: Air Tractor AT-602, N602AA, Plains, KS, July 21, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 21, 2023, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Plains, KS - Coordinates: 37.266948, -100.58374 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2669&lon=-100.5837&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: 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 FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 192703 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA321 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192703/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192703 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA321 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain control during takeoff from a water-contaminated runway. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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-602, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: wet surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md) - [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-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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis Prior to flight, the pilot noted that rain had made the turf airstrip too wet to conduct aerial application flights. The middle of the airstrip had standing water, but the edges of the runway had fewer areas of water. The pilot took off at a reduced weight, without an aerial load, to fly to another location. During the takeoff, the airplane contacted the water on the runway, and the pilot lost control. The airplane subsequently veered off the runway resulting in the wing’s spray booms getting entangled in high weeds. The airplane spun and came to rest. Substantial damage was sustained to the left wing and empennage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N602AA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N602AA), registered now, S/N 602-1194, built 2010 (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-60AG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-60ag) (registry code 52101, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 602-1194 - Year built: 2010 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-60AG 1050 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Dickson Shannon - Registered owner: Dickson Shannon - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Airport: 00, Private Airstrip, runway 35, 3,200 × 25 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 20, 2023; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 30,948 total, 5,240 in this make and model, 340 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,100 ft broken - Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg - Observed at: KLBL, 22 nm away - METAR: SPECI KLBL 211607Z AUTO 01010KT 10SM SCT012 BKN021 OVC027 A3022 RMK AO2 FZRANO $= ## 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 20230721009349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230721009349A), Jul 21, 2023: Air Tractor Inc AT-602, Plains, KS, Substantial damage. On 7-21-23 at approximately 1100 local time operator was attempting to take off from Plains KS muncipal airport runway 35. It had rained 1”80 hundredths the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 9, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192703. 2.6 MB in all. - Pilot's statement (item 1, PDF, 2 pages, 2 photos, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16168947&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=SOS%20FAX_20230825_132522_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigative photo (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 1 photo, 134 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16124704&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photo-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.