# NTSB CHI00LA177: Air Tractor AT-502, N91891, Portland, ND, June 29, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 29, 2000, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Portland, ND - Coordinates: 47.489063, -97.359687 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4891&lon=-97.3597&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 8, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49569 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI00LA177 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49569/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA177 ## Probable cause the pilot intentionally operated the airplane with known damage on the left wing which resulted in the pilot's inability to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - wing - previous damage - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - intentional, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot made a forced landing on a road following a loss of engine power. The leading edge of the left wing and left aileron were damaged when it contacted a road sign during the landing. The pilot was able to get the engine started. He decided to takeoff on the road and fly back to his private airstrip. The pilot reported that once airborne, the airplane began to roll to the left. He reported that he added right aileron control, but the airplane continued to roll until it contacted the terrain. ## Factual narrative On June 29, 2000, at 1300 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502, N91891, operated by a commercial pilot collided with the terrain following a loss of control during takeoff from a road in Portland, North Dakota. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 137 flight was being operated in visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that he made an emergency landing on the road following a loss of engine power. He stated that during the forced landing, the left wing of the airplane contacted a road sign. This resulted in damage to the leading edge of the wing and left aileron. The pilot reported that he had mechanics look at the airplane and it was determined that the loss of power was due to an "air lock." He stated they bled the fuel line and started the engine. The pilot reported that he determined that he could fly the airplane off the road and back to his private airstrip. The pilot stated that once airborne the airplane rolled to the left. He stated that he added right aileron control, however the airplane continued to roll until it struck the ground. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N91891](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N91891-2012-08-01), registration cancelled 2012-08-01, S/N 502-0224, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-502 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-502](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-502) (registry code 0390303) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52032, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 502-0224 - Airframe hours: 2656 - Engines: P&W PT6A-34AG 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Willmar Aerial Spraying - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 20, 2000, 30 hours before - Departed: NONE, ND - Destination: PVT, OLIVIA, MN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 7,046 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 6,937 as pilot in command, 130 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 55 °F - Observed at: GFK, 32 nm away ## 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 20000629036889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000629036889A), Jun 29, 2000: Airtrc AT502, Portland, ND, No damage. (-23) On June 29, 2000, at 0900 CDT a air tractor AT-500-502, N91891, operated by willmar aerial spraying sustained substantial damage when attempting to land… 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.