# NTSB DFW06CA152: Air Tractor AT-401, N9190B, Victoria, TX, June 3, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 3, 2006, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Victoria, TX - Coordinates: 28.720556, -96.928611 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.7206&lon=-96.9286&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 3, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: San Antonio, Texas - NTSB case key (mKey): 63856 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW06CA152 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63856/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06CA152 ## Probable cause The pilot's delay in aborting the takeoff which resulted in an overrun. A contributing factor was the unfavorable wind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, takeoff - roll/run - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot in command - terrain condition - crop - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor) - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The single-engine agricultural airplane impacted terrain during a takeoff overrun at a private airstrip. The 11,000-hour commercial pilot reported that the hopper was loaded with 250 gallons of cotton defoliant and the airplane had a total of 35 gallons of 100LL aviation fuel on board for the aerial application flight of a nearby cotton field. The pilot stated that a full engine run up was completed prior to taking the runway for a southeast departure. The pilot added that the acceleration appeared normal and the 600-horsepower radial engine was producing full power during the takeoff roll on the 3,200-foot by 130-foot wide gravel airstrip. The pilot added that the tailwheel-equipped airplane was properly configured with the flaps in the takeoff (one-notch down) position. After breaking ground, the airplane climbed to an altitude of 10 to 15 feet above the ground before the airplane settled back on to the runway. The pilot attempted to get the airplane airborne again; however, the spray boom on the left wing collided with corn stalks on the corn field at the departure end of his private airstrip. The airplane came to rest in the upright position about 200 yards beyond the departure end of the airstrip. The aft section of the airplane sustained structural damage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane or the engine at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that the lack of performance by the airplane was due to the calm winds that prevailed that morning. The density altitude was calculated by the investigator-in-charge at 881 feet. ## Factual narrative The single-engine agricultural airplane impacted terrain during a takeoff overrun at a private airstrip. The 11,000-hour commercial pilot reported that the hopper was loaded with 250 gallons of cotton defoliant and the airplane had a total of 35 gallons of 100LL aviation fuel on board for the aerial application flight on a nearby cotton field. The pilot stated that a full engine run up was completed prior to taking the runway for a southeast departure. The pilot added that the acceleration appeared normal and the 600-horsepower radial engine was producing full power during the takeoff roll on the 3,200-foot by 130-foot wide gravel airstrip. The pilot added that the tailwheel-equipped airplane was properly configured with the flaps in the takeoff (one-notch down) position. After breaking ground, the airplane climbed to an altitude of 10 to 15 feet above the ground before the airplane settled back on to the runway. The pilot attempted to get the airplane airborne again; however, the spray boom on the left wing collided with corn stalks on the corn field at the departure end of his private airstrip. The airplane came to rest in the upright position about 200 yards beyond the departure end of the airstrip. The aft section of the airplane sustained structural damage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane or the engine at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that the lack of performance by the airplane was due to the calm winds that prevailed that morning. The density altitude was calculated by the investigator-in-charge at 881 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9190B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9190B-2013-08-21), registration cancelled 2013-08-21, S/N 401-0922, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-401 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-401](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-401) (registry code 0390204) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 401-0922 - Airframe hours: 1226 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2006 - Departed: N/A, Victoria, TX - Destination: N/A, Victoria, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: center; flight hours: 11,000 total, 1,500 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 4 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: VCT ## 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 20060603011009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060603011009A), Jun 3, 2006: Airtrc AT401, Victoria, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) After engine run-up operator attempted to take off from wet gravel runway with zero wind. Aircraft became airborne for approximately 15 feet then failed… ## Other investigations on N9190B (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 CEN13LA152](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA152), Jan 31, 2013: Air Tractor AT-401 (N9190B), Victoria, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The mechanical failure of the engine power section, which resulted in a loss of engine power. 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.