# NTSB CEN24LA255: Air Tractor AT-802, N983LA, Brad, TX, July 4, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 4, 2024, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Brad, TX · lake - Coordinates: 32.393361, -98.448922 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3934&lon=-98.4489&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - 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 Flight Standards - NTSB case key (mKey): 194644 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA255 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194644/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194644 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA255 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control after encountering a large boat wake. ## 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-802, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0390305), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: choppy surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023030): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-802, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023030/cases.md?model=0390305), [All aircraft, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023030/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 in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-802, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=0390305), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was performing firefighting activity at the time of the accident. He reported that after scooping a load of water and applying takeoff power, the airplane encountered a large boat wake which caused it to become airborne. However, the pilot did not have sufficient flight control authority to counter act the engine torque. The left float contacted the water, and the airplane veered to the left. The left-wing spar was damaged during the impact sequence. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions before the accident that would have precluded normal airplane operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N983LA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N983LA), registered now, S/N 802-0983, built 2022 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT-802 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-802](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-802) (registry code 0390305) (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: 802-0983 - Year built: 2022 - Airframe hours: 228 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67F 1600 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Firefighting, Part 137 - Registered owner: Phoenix Air LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 6, 2024, 10 hours before - Departed: MWL, Mineral Wells, TX - Destination: MWL, Mineral Wells, TX - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 3, 2023; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 30,000 total, 150 in this make and model, 25,000 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 7 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: KRPH, 13 nm away - METAR: METAR KRPH 041935Z AUTO 10007G17KT 10SM FEW065 36/20 A2987 ## 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 20240704022029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240704022029A), Jul 4, 2024: Air Tractor AT-802-802, Brad, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft was dispatched along with 2 other aircraft to the hart lane fire around the possum kingdom lake vicinity. The lake was very busy due to the July 4… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 22, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194644. 3.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17407638&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Report%20--%20CEN24LA255_redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photos (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 425 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17417899&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photos%20--%20CEN24LA255-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.