# NTSB CHI07LA246: Air Tractor AT-502B, N50877, Hampton, IA, August 1, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 1, 2007, 09:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: Hampton, IA
- Coordinates: 42.725501, -93.226311 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7255&lon=-93.2263&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 28, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Des Moines, Iowa FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66560
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI07LA246
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66560/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07LA246

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.  Contributing to the accident was a ditch.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - aborted
  - aborted landing - attempted, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The airplane was substantially damaged when it struck a ditch along the edge of the runway during an aborted landing. The pilot reported that there was a right 45 degree crosswind at 20 knots which decreased just as he was touching down. The airplane then yawed to the right and the pilot applied power to execute an aborted landing. The airplane subsequently became airborne and crossed over the ditch along the right side of the runway. The airplane settled to the ground and the left wing tip struck the ditch edge.  The airplane subsequently spun to the left, the right landing gear collapsed, and the airplane slid across the runway.

## Factual narrative

On August 1, 2007, about 0915 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502B, operated by Keller Flying Service, and piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage during an aborted landing on runway 17 (4,018 feet by 75 feet), at the Hampton Municipal Airport (HPT), Hampton, Iowa.  The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan.  No injuries were reported.  The local flight originated at an unconfirmed time.

The pilot stated that while landing on runway 17 at HPT the winds were about 20 knots from the southwest.  He said that just as he was touching down the wind speed decreased,  which resulted in the airplane yawing to the right.  He said that the tires began to skip and he applied power to execute a go-around.  He stated that as he crossed the ditch along the right side of the runway the airplane settled to the ground and the left wing tip struck the ditch.  The airplane subsequently spun to the left, the right landing gear collapsed, and the airplane slid across the runway.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N50877](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N50877), registered now, S/N 502B-0472, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR AT-502B
- Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-502B](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-502b) (registry code 0390307) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 502B-0472
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A 750 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Keller Flying Service, LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: HPT, Hampton, IA
- Airport: HPT, Hampton Muni, runway 17, 4,018 × 75 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: center

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 20 knots

## 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 20070801017519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070801017519A), Aug 1, 2007: Airtrc AT502B, Hampton, IA, Substantial damage. (-23) During a landing, the aircraft lost directional control. The pilot then attempted a go-around. During the attempted go-around the aircraft wing struck an…

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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