# NTSB CHI98LA243: Air Tractor AT-502, N9185C, Minto, ND, July 9, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 8, 1998, 21:00 local (Jul 9, 1998, 02:00 UTC) - Place: Minto, ND - Coordinates: 48.289127, -97.37091 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.2891&lon=-97.3709&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10955 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA243 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10955/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA243 ## Probable cause the pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff. Factors were wet and soft runway conditions, and a ditch and the end of the overrun area. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - soft (contributing factor) - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - wet (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - airport facilities,runway overrun area - ditch (contributing factor) - Nose over, takeoff - roll/run ## Analysis The pilot said that the first 700 feet of the takeoff runway was concrete and the remaining 1,600 feet was wet turf. He said that during the takeoff roll on the wet turf the left main landing gear tire encountered a 'soft rut' and the airplane yawed to the left. He indicated that his head hit the roll-bar. By the time he recovered, the airplane had slowed to the point that it impacted a ditch at the end of the runway and nosed over. The pilot did not indicate any mechanical problems with the airplane and said that the engine power remained 'full' throughout the takeoff roll. ## Factual narrative On July 8, 1998, at 2100 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502, N9185C, operated by a commercial pilot sustained substantial damage when it overran the runway on takeoff from runway 17 (2,300' x 100' wet/turf), near Minto, North Dakota, and impacted a drainage ditch. The pilot said that the turf runway was soft and the airplane was slowed too much for liftoff in the last one-third of the runway takeoff length. The pilot reported minor injuries. The 14 CFR Part 137 flight was departing on an aerial application flight in visual meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. There was no flight plan on file. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot gave a written statement concerning the events surrounding the accident. He said that the first 700 feet of the takeoff runway was concrete and the remaining 1,600 feet was wet turf. He said that during the takeoff roll on the wet turf the left main landing gear tire encountered a "soft rut" and the airplane yawed to the left. He said at that time his head hit the roll-bar. He said, by the time he recovered, the airplane had slowed to the point the airplane impacted a ditch at the end of the runway and nosed over. The pilot did not indicate any mechanical problems with the airplane and said that the engine power remained "full" throughout the takeoff roll. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9185C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9185C-2004-08-25), registration cancelled 2004-08-25, S/N 502-0207, 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: 502-0207 - Engines: P&W PT-6-34 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: John Wakefield - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: D06 - Airport: D06, Minto Municipal, runway 17, 2,300 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 4,415 total, 2,056 in this make and model, 4,326 as pilot in command, 122 in the last 90 days, 95 in the last 30 days, 11 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: calm - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F ## 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 19980708016349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980708016349A), Jul 8, 1998: Airtrc AT502, Minto, ND, No damage. (-23) On 07/08/98 at 2100 CDT, AT-302 N9185C, operated by john wakefield d/ b/a skyways and flown by richard farmer was substantially damaged during takeoff… 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.