# NTSB DFW05LA126: Air Tractor AT-602, N9017Z, Ralls, TX, May 19, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 19, 2005, 09:44 local (14:44 UTC) - Place: Ralls, TX - Coordinates: 33.467498, -101.292778 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4675&lon=-101.2928&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 61516 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW05LA126 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61516/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=61516 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05LA126 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the antenna tower. Contributing factors were the recency of the tower's construction and the lack of obstruction lights on the tower. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - object - antenna - light(s) - not installed (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The 21,000-hour pilot had completed his second aerial application on an area of trees, and was en route back to the airport. While maneuvering, the airplane struck a 197-foot high tower. Subsequently, the airplane impacted terrain, where a post impact fire ensued. There were no reported eyewitnesses to the collision with the tower. Examination of the airplane and accident site revealed that the outboard portion of the right wing was separated and found adjacent to the base of the tower. The top three feet of the tower was severed and had yellow paint transfer consistent with the color of the airplane. The tower was erected 15 days prior to the accident and was of an unpainted metal color. The tower was also not equipped with an obstruction light. A weather observation system approximately 29 miles northwest of the accident site reported an overcast cloud ceiling at 25,000 feet. ## Factual narrative On May 19, 2005, approximately 0944 central daylight time, a turbine-powered Air Tractor AT-602 agricultural airplane, N9017Z, registered to and operated by Mcadoo Flying Service, Inc., of Crosbyton, Texas, was destroyed when it impacted terrain following an in-flight collision with an antenna tower while maneuvering near Ralls, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed throughout the area and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight originated from the Crosbyton Airport (8F3), near Crosbyton, Texas. According to information gathered by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety inspector, who responded to the accident site, the 21,000-hour pilot had completed his second aerial application of herbicide on mesquite trees and was en route back to 8F3. While maneuvering, the airplane struck a 197-foot high tower being utilized to collect weather observations approximately 14 miles southwest of 8F3. Subsequently, the airplane impacted terrain where a post impact fire ensued. There were no reported eyewitnesses to the accident. Examination of the airplane and wreckage site by the FAA inspector revealed evidence that the airplane impacted the ground approximately 831 feet from the tower on a heading of 038 degrees. The outboard three feet of the right wing was separated and found adjacent to the base of the tower. The fuselage was fragmented throughout its length, and all five propeller blades were separated from the propeller hub. Three of the five blades exhibited chordwise scratches along their respective spans. One blade was missing a 2-inch portion of the blade tip, which was found within the main wreckage. Three blades displayed "S" bends approximately mid-span. Examination of the tower revealed that the top three feet was severed and had yellow paint transfer consistent with the color of the airplane. The tower was erected on May 4, 2005, and was of an unpainted metal color. The tower was not equipped with an obstruction light. At 0953, the automated surface observation station at the Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport, near Lubbock, Texas, located approximately 29 miles northwest of the accident site reported wind from 250 degrees at 4 knots, visibility 10 statue miles, overcast cloud ceiling at 25,000 feet, temperature 73 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 53 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 29.95 inches of Mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9017Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9017Z-2006-06-29), registration cancelled 2006-06-29, S/N 602-0546, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-602 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-602](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-602) (registry code 0390309) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-66 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-66-series) (registry code 52118, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 602-0546 - Airframe hours: 2352.4 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6-60A6 1050 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Mcadoo Flying Service Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2005, 54.6 hours before - Departed: 8F3, Crosbyton, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: fatal; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 21,000 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: LBB, 29 nm away ## 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 20050519007929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050519007929A), May 19, 2005: Airtrc AT602, Ralls, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. (-23) An agricultural pilot was scheduled to complete his second loadof herbicide spray against mesquite growth and was expected back at the crosbyton airport… ## Other investigations on N9017Z (1) 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. - [NTSB DFW05CA098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05CA098), Mar 18, 2005: Air Tractor AT-602 (N9017Z), Crosbyton, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to mantain directional control during take-off. A contributing factor was the dust devil. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 7, 2005, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=61516. 3.5 MB in all. - Photos (5 images) (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40234311&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%20(5%20images)-Master.PDF - Toxicological Report (item 2, .PDF, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40401063&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report-Redacted.PDF 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.