# NTSB DFW07CA104: Air Tractor AT-602, N629LA, Benoit, MS, April 30, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 30, 2007, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Benoit, MS - Coordinates: 33.6508333333333, -91.0091666666667 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6508&lon=-91.0092&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 27, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Jackson, Mississippi - NTSB case key (mKey): 65690 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW07CA104 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65690/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW07CA104 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the crops which resulted in a ground loop. A contributing factor was the narrow airstrip ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - narrow (contributing factor) - terrain condition - crop - clearance - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command ## Analysis The right spray boom from the tailwheel equipped agricultural airplane became entangled with tall wheat while landing on a narrow gravel airstrip. The 2,236-hour commercial pilot, who reported having accumulated a total of 128 hours in the same make and model of airplane, lost control of the airplane resulting in a ground-loop. The aft section of the fuselage sustained structural damage. The turbine powered airplane came to rest in an upright position and the pilot was able to exit unassisted. The wheat was displaced approximately four feet from the airstrip's left edge and was growing adjacent to the right edge. Earlier that day, the pilot reported that he had observed wheat entangled in the right spray boom following two previous landings on the same airstrip. An examination of the airplane's right wheel at the accident site revealed that it was free to rotate and that the right brake was not dragging. The wind velocity at the time of the accident was reported between 1 to 3 knots. ## Factual narrative The right spray boom from the tailwheel equipped agricultural airplane became entangled with tall wheat while landing on a narrow gravel airstrip. The 2,236-hour commercial pilot, who reported having accumulated a total of 128 hours in the same make and model of airplane, lost control of the airplane resulting in a ground-loop. The aft section of the fuselage sustained structural damage. The turbine powered airplane came to rest in an upright position and the pilot was able to exit unassisted. The wheat was displaced approximately four feet from the airstrip's left edge and was growing adjacent to the right edge. Earlier that day, the pilot reported that he had observed wheat entangled in the right spray boom following two previous landings on the same airstrip. An examination of the airplane's right wheel at the accident site revealed that it was free to rotate and that the right brake was not dragging. The wind velocity at the time of the accident was reported between 1 to 3 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N629LA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N629LA-2021-07-31), registration cancelled 2021-07-31, S/N 6020629, built 2001 (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-60A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-60a) (registry code 52043, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 602-0629 - Airframe hours: 4068 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-60A 1173 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Shelby Air Service, Inc. - Registered owner: Pro-Ag Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2007 - Departed: Benoit, MS - Airport: UNK, Crop Duster Airstrip, runway 18, 2,000 × 30 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2005; seat: single; flight hours: 2,236 total, 128 in this make and model, 2,200 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F ## Other investigations on N629LA (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 CEN18LA270](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA270), Jul 13, 2018: Air Tractor AT 602 (N629LA), Bismarck, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information. 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.