# NTSB DFW08CA009: Air Tractor AT-602, N8521L, Columbia, LA, October 11, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 11, 2007, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Columbia, LA - Coordinates: 32.122222, -92.05278 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1222&lon=-92.0528&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 31, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Baton Rouge, Louisiana - NTSB case key (mKey): 66887 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08CA009 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66887/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA009 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area. Contributing factors were the tall vegetation on the sides of the airstrip and the short and confined landing area. ## 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 - terrain condition - congested/confined area (contributing factor) - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command ## Analysis The 2,670-hour commercial pilot lost control of the turbine-powered aerial application airplane while landing on a remote dirt airstrip to replenish the hopper. The pilot reported that while flaring the airplane during a 3-point landing, the upwind wing (low wing) became entangled in the tall vegetation surrounding the airstrip resulting in a loss of directional control. The airplane "cart-wheeled" and came to rest in the upright position. The pilot was able to exit the airplane unassisted. The airplane's aft fuselage sustained structural damage. When asked how this accident could have been prevented, the pilot responded that a better choice of airstrip could have been made to prevent the mishap. ## Factual narrative The 2,670-hour commercial pilot lost control of the turbine-powered aerial application airplane while landing on a remote dirt airstrip to replenish the hopper. The pilot reported that while flaring the airplane during a 3-point landing, the upwind wing (low wing) became entangled in the tall vegetation surrounding the airstrip resulting in a loss of directional control. The airplane "cart-wheeled" and came to rest in the upright position. The pilot was able to exit the airplane unassisted. The airplane's aft fuselage sustained structural damage. When asked how this accident could have been prevented, the pilot responded that a better choice of airstrip could have been made to prevent the mishap. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8521L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8521L-2011-09-07), registration cancelled 2011-09-07, S/N 602-0703, built 2004 (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 PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52032, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 602-0703 - Airframe hours: 1619 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-60AG 1050 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Hog Air Aviation - Registered owner: Brent Carpenter/Hog Air Aviation Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 1, 2007 - Departed: Columbian, LA - Destination: Columbian, LA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2007; seat: single; flight hours: 2,670 total, 1,676 in this make and model, 2,614 as pilot in command, 600 in the last 90 days, 456 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg ## 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 20071011826489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071011826489A), Oct 11, 2007: Airtrc AT602, Columbia, LA, Substantial damage. (-23) While engaged in agricultural spraying the pilot was attempting to land on a remote area on a dirt road 10 miles north of Columbia, LA. While landing,… ## Other investigations on N8521L (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 CEN10LA437](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA437), Jul 25, 2010: Air Tractor AT-602 (N8521L), Yates City, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. 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.