# NTSB CEN24LA261: Air Tractor AT602, N528JC, Decatur, IL, July 12, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 12, 2024, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Decatur, IL - Coordinates: 39.835461, -88.873558 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8355&lon=-88.8736&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) - 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 - Springfield FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 194687 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA261 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194687/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194687 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA261 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inability to maintain directional control during the landing roll due to the malfunction of the tail wheel locking mechanism. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200/cases.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); 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) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the tailwheel became unlocked on landing. The airplane drifted to the left, exited the runway, and ground looped which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. A post-accident examination revealed that the tailwheel lock pin was not engaged, although the cockpit handle was in the locked position. The cable was continuous from the cockpit handle to the locking mechanism, however, multiple attempts to move the tailwheel locking pin by manipulating the handle were unsuccessful. The pin became unstuck when it was assisted into position using a striking tool. Subsequent attempts to lock the tailwheel from the cockpit were successful and the mechanism functioned normally. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N528JC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N528JC), registered now, S/N 602-0528 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR AT602 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-602](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-602) (registry code 0390309) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-65AG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-65ag) (registry code 52109, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 602-05287 - Year built: 1999 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT-6A-65AG 1050 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 137 - Operator: Farm Air, Inc. - Registered owner: Farm Air, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: IS08, Summum, IL - Destination: DEC, Decatur, IL - Airport: DEC, Decatur, runway 18/36, 5,298 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 8, 2023; seat: single; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 22,000 total, 305 in this make and model, 17,250 as pilot in command, 67 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: KDEC - METAR: KDEC 121854Z 11004KT 10SM FEW039 29/22 A3010 RMK AO2 SLP188 T02940217 ## 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 20240712012449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240712012449A), Jul 12, 2024: Air Tractor 602, Dectur, IL, Substantial damage. Aircraft was conducting a normal approach to landing at kdec on runway 18. On touchdown, the aircraft experienced oscilations of the tailwheel as evidenced by… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 8, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194687. 3.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17754433&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N528JC_6120.1%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17754474&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photographs%20CEN24LA261-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� FAA exam (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17756168&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20FAA%20Exam-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.