- Date
- May 23, 1999, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place
- Poplar Bluff, MO
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N6144HAir Tractor AT-802A
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report October 13, 2000
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19990523005539A
- Case key
- 46368
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 selecting the wrong runway direction on which to initiate the takeoff and his failure to maintain directional control. Factors associated with the accident were the quartering tailwind condition, the rough terrain encountered, and fatigue.
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 stated that he initiated the takeoff with a '... strong quartering tailwind.' According to the pilot he was taking off to the east with the local winds from 315 degrees at 15 to 20 knots. He reported that the airplane veered to the left and he was unable to compensate for the veer using the rudder. The airplane traveled off the left side of the airstrip and through a rice field where it contacted a levee knocking off the main gear. The pilot stated he started flying at 0700 central daylight time and he had flown 24 loads on the day of the accident.
Factual narrative
On May 23, 1999, at 1400 central daylight time (cdt), an Air Tractor AT-802A, N6144H, operated by a commercial pilot collided with the terrain following a loss of directional control during a takeoff ground run from a private airstrip in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The 14 CFR Part 137 flight was originating at the time of the accident.
The pilot stated he initiated the takeoff with a "... strong quartering tailwind." According to the pilot he was taking off to the east on the 2,600' x 100' paved airstrip and the local winds were from 315 degrees at 15 to 20 knots. He reported the airplane veered to the left and he was unable to compensate for the veer using the rudder. The airplane traveled off the left side of the airstrip and through a rice field where it contacted a levee knocking off the main gear.
The airplane was loaded with 5,000 pounds of fertilizer at the time of the accident. The pilot stated he started flying at 0700 cdt and he had flown 24 loads on the day of the accident.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N6144H
- Reported as
- Air Tractor AT-802A
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 802-025
- Airframe hours
- 1,441
- Engine
- P&W PT6-45, 1,100 horsepower, turbo prop
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application · Part 137
- Registered owner
- John M. Hall
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection
- 100 hour · March 21, 1999 · 31 hours before
- Airport
- Private Airstrip, runway 9, 2,600 × 100 ft, asphalt
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 40
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Center
- Flight hours
- 12,000 total · 1,500 in this make and model · 100 in the last 90 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 315° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility
- 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.