# NTSB DEN02TA092: Air Tractor AT-802A, N91092, Broomfield, CO, August 14, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report - Date: August 14, 2002, 10:11 local (16:11 UTC) - Place: Broomfield, CO - Coordinates: 39.908611, -105.117225 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9086&lon=-105.1172&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 1, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 55471 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN02TA092 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55471/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN02TA092 ## Probable cause the airplane's left main landing gear tire separated from its wheel during takeoff roll for an undetermined reason. Contributing factors were the pilot's inability to maintain aircraft control during takeoff roll and the subsequent impact with the Visual Approach Slope Indicator box. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - roll/run - landing gear,tire - failure (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - object - vasi light/system (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot taxied onto runway 29R, with approximately 700 gallons of fire retardant. He started the takeoff roll and at approximately 800 to 900 feet down the runway he heard a "distinct bang." The airplane immediately started an uncommanded turn to the left, and the pilot, using right rudder and right braking action, could not regain control of the aircraft. The airplane departed the runway and impacted the Visual Approach Slope Indictor box, which sheared the right main landing gear off. Subsequently, the right wing and aileron were bent up. Postaccident examination of the airplane by maintenance personnel revealed that the left main tire inner seal had separated from the wheel. No determination was made why this event occurred. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector said he found two black skid marks on the runway; the left one started 10 to 15 feet before the right one. ## Factual narrative On August 14, 2002, at 1011 mountain daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-802A, N91092, was substantially damaged when it exited the left side of the runway at Jeffco Airport (BJC) in Broomfield, Colorado. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant in the airplane, received minor injuries. The U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Broomfield, Colorado, was operating the airplane under Title CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the slurry bomber operation which was originating at the time of the accident. No flight plan was filed for the local flight. The pilot said the he taxied onto runway 29R, with approximately 700 gallons of fire retardant. He started the takeoff roll and at approximately 800 to 900 feet down the runway he heard a "distinct bang." The airplane immediately started an uncommanded turn to the left, and the pilot, using right rudder and right braking action, could not regain control of the aircraft. The airplane departed the runway and impacted the Visual Approach Slope Indicator box, which sheared the right main landing gear off. Subsequently, the right wing and aileron were bent up. Postaccident examination of the airplane by maintenance personnel revealed that the left main tire inner seal had separated from the wheel. No determination was made for why this event occurred. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector said he found two black skid marks on the runway; the left one started 10 to 15 feet before the right one. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N91092](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N91092), registered now, S/N 802A-0005, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-802A - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-802A](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-802a) (registry code 0390308) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 802A-0005 - Airframe hours: 1665 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-65B 1173 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Public aircraft, Public use - Operator: U.S.D.A. Forest Service - Registered owner: Queen Bee Air Specialties, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 19, 2002, 10 hours before - Departed: BJC, Broomfield, CO - Airport: BJC, Jeffco Airport, runway 29R, 9,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review May 28, 2002; seat: center; flight hours: 5,167 total, 124 in this make and model, 4,989 as pilot in command, 64 in the last 90 days, 39 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 15 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BJC ## 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 20020814023679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020814023679A), Aug 14, 2002: Airtrc AT802A, Denver, CO, Destroyed. (-23) Aircraft was conducting fire suppression operations just west of the broomfield airport. The aircraft was loaded with 703 gallons (6467 lbs.) Of fire… 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.