DFW05CA098

The pilot lost directional control of the tail wheel equipped airplane during takeoff roll after encountering a dust devil soon after the tail came up. The pilot estimated that the winds were from the west-northwest at 5 to 7 knots prior to his attempted takeoff from the 3,600-foot long by 60-foot wide asphalt runway. The airplane was loaded with 400 gallons of water.

On March 18, 2005, at 1520 central standard time, an Air Tractor AT-602 single-engine tailwheel equipped agricultural airplane, N9017Z, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during takeoff from Crosbyton Municipal Airport, near Crosbyton, Texas (8F3). The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by McAdoo Flying Service, Inc., Crosbyton, Texas, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan had not been filed for the local flight.

According to a written statement submitted by the 20,000-hour commercial pilot, the turbine powered airplane, loaded with 400 gallons of water, encountered a "dust devil" during the takeoff roll. The aircraft veered to the left, and departed the 3,600-foot x 60-foot asphalt runway. The airplane was substantially damaged when it entered a plowed field and ground looped.

An examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who traveled to the accident site, revealed structural damage to the outboard section of the right wing. The aileron, empennage, and rudder were also damaged.

At 1553, the automated weather observing system at LBB, 29 miles west of the accident site, reported wind variable at 5 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, few clouds at 9,000 feet, broken clouds at 25,000 feet, temperature 66 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 30 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 29.77 inches of Mercury.