- Date
- May 19, 1996, 21:15 local (May 20, 1996, 02:15 UTC)
- Place
- Letcher, SD
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N1019XAir Tractor AT401
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Dusk
- Status
- Completed · report December 16, 1996
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19960519015949A
- Case key
- 10254
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
the pilot's inadequate evaluation of the severe weather condition. A factor was the weather conditions.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot reported that after landing, following an aerial application flight, he observed lightning to the northwest of the airstrip. Due to the approaching weather, the pilot decided to ferry the airplane to another airport where hangar facilities were available. During the takeoff roll to the south, a gust front from the approaching storm reached the field. The wind changed from calm to approximately 30 knots from the west. He attempted to continue the takeoff but 'was unable to attain flying speed and maintain directional control.' The airplane departed the east side of the runway and nosed over.
Factual narrative
On May 19, 1996, at 2115 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT401, N1019X, operated by JDM, Inc., was substantially damaged when it nosed over during takeoff from a private airstrip in Letcher, South Dakota. The commercial pilot reported no injuries. Thunderstorms and severe winds were reported by witnesses. The 14 CFR Part 91 ferry flight was planned to Mitchell, South Dakota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.
The pilot reported that he landed, following an aerial application flight, and observed lightning to the northwest of the airstrip and "it was apparent that possibly severe weather was approaching the field. The decision was made to ferry the empty aircraft...where hangar facilities are available." During the takeoff roll toward the south, the gust front from the approaching storm reached the field. The wind changed from calm to approximately 30 knots from the west.
He wrote that he attempted to continue the takeoff but "was unable to attain flying speed and maintain directional control." The airplane departed the east side of the runway and nosed over. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N1019X
- Reported as
- Air Tractor AT401
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 401-0736
- Airframe hours
- 2,047
- Engine
- P&W R-1340, 600 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Ferry · Part 91
- Registered owner
- M & J Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection
- Annual · December 21, 1995
- Destination
- MHE · Mitchell, SD
- Airport
- Mj Aviation Airstrip, runway 18, 4,000 × 150 ft, grass/turf
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 43
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Front
- Flight hours
- 3,508 total · 58 in this make and model · 3,424 as pilot in command · 16 in the last 90 days · 16 in the last 30 days · 12 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Dusk
- Wind
- 310° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility
- 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 64 °F
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.