# NTSB DFW06CA031: Air Tractor AT-502B, N5075P, Osceola, AR, November 10, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 10, 2005, 08:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Osceola, AR - Coordinates: 35.699207, -89.989402 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6992&lon=-89.9894&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Little rock, Arkansas - NTSB case key (mKey): 62837 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW06CA031 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62837/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06CA031 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while on final approach. A contributing factor was the gusty winds. ## Analysis The 16,500-hour commercial pilot was repositioning the tailwheel equipped agricultural airplane to another airstrip located approximately 10 minutes away from his home base. Prior to his departure from home base the pilot reported the winds were from the north at 5 to 6 mph. As the pilot entered the traffic pattern for the landing airstrip on a southbound downwind leg, he noticed that the winds were still from the north; however, they were now gusting from 10 to 15 knots. The pilot, who was very familiar with the airstrip, reported that when landing to the north, he prefers making a long final approach to avoid all obstacles while making a short field landing to avoid rolling over a gravel covered portion of the airstrip. The pilot stated that he lined-up and touched down slightly west of the centerline, and as the aircraft crossed over the south bank of a 30 to 40 foot wide ditch running short of runway, the aircraft encountered a 'large wind gust." The pilot attempted to add power to compensate; however, the turbine engine took too long to spool up. The airplane impacted the north bank of the ditch and both main landing gears separated from the airframe. The airplane came to stop on a northwesterly heading after sliding for 30 to 40 feet. The pilot reported having accumulated a total of 385 hours in the same make and model, with about 285 hours in the preceding 90 days. ## Factual narrative The 16,500-hour commercial pilot was repositioning the tailwheel-equipped agricultural airplane to another airstrip located approximately 10 minutes away from his home base. Prior to his departure from home base the pilot reported the winds were from the north at 5 to 6 mph. As the pilot entered the traffic pattern for the landing airstrip on a southbound downwind leg, he noticed that the winds were still from the north; however, they were now gusting from 10 to 15 knots. The pilot, who was very familiar with the airstrip, reported that when landing to the north, he prefers making a long final approach to avoid all obstacles while making a short field landing to avoid rolling over a gravel covered portion of the airstrip. The pilot stated that he lined-up and touched down slightly west of the centerline, and as the aircraft crossed over the south bank of a 30 to 40 foot wide ditch running short of runway, the aircraft encountered a 'large wind gust." The pilot attempted to add power to compensate; however, the turbine engine took too long to spool up. The airplane impacted the north bank of the ditch and both main landing gears separated from the airframe. The airplane came to stop on a northwesterly heading after sliding for 30 to 40 feet. The pilot reported having accumulated a total of 385 hours in the same make and model, with about 285 hours in the preceding 90 days. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, approach - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ditch ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5075P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5075P), registered now, S/N 502B-0439, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-502B - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-502B](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-502b) (registry code 0390307) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 502B-0439 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Operator: A&G Flying Service - Registered owner: Amanda Lockley - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: NONE, Classic Airport, AR - Destination: NONE, Oceola, AR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 16,500 total, 385 in this make and model, 285 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles ## 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 20051110027749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051110027749A), Nov 10, 2005: Airtrc AT502B, Osceola, AR, Substantial damage. (-23) 11/10/2005, Approx 07:45 CT, N5075P, an AT-502P was operating under visual meteorological conditions. Operated by a & g flying service (lfyg) and piloted… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; 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.