# NTSB DFW08CA014: Air Tractor 402B, N5006K, Taft, TX, October 10, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 10, 2007, 07:55 local (12:55 UTC) - Place: Taft, TX - Coordinates: 27.979166, -97.396385 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9792&lon=-97.3964&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: San Antonio, Texas - NTSB case key (mKey): 66888 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08CA014 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66888/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA014 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control during takeoff. A contributing factor was the prevailing crosswind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - high wind - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The 640-hour commercial pilot, who reported having accumulated 10-hours in the same tailwheel equipped turboprop airplane, was attempting to depart from the 2,400-fot long, by 24-foot wide airstrip with a prevailing gusting crosswind. Shortly after takeoff from runway 03, the pilot was not able to compensate for the existing wind conditions and lost control of the airplane. The pilot responded with left rudder and aileron; however, the airplane continued to roll right until the right wing tip contacted the ground. The airplane subsequently cart-wheeled and came to rest in an upright position. The pilot was able to exited the airplane unassisted. An examination of the airplane revealed the left wing sustained structural damage. No pre-impact anomalies were found with the brakes, steering system or the airplane's flight controls. The winds at the time of the mishap were reported from 010 degrees at 9 knots, gusting to 17 knots. ## Factual narrative The 640-hour commercial pilot, who reported having accumulated 10-hours in the same tailwheel equipped turboprop airplane, was attempting to depart from the 2,400-fot long, by 24-foot wide airstrip with a prevailing gusting crosswind. Shortly after takeoff from runway 03, the pilot was not able to compensate for the existing wind conditions and lost control of the airplane. The pilot responded with left rudder and aileron; however, the airplane continued to roll right until the right wing tip contacted the ground. The airplane subsequently cart-wheeled and came to rest in an upright position. The pilot was able to exited the airplane unassisted. An examination of the airplane revealed the left wing sustained structural damage. No pre-impact anomalies were found with the brakes, steering system or the airplane's flight controls. The winds at the time of the mishap were reported from 010 degrees at 9 knots, gusting to 17 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5006K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5006K), registered now, S/N 402B-1024, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor 402B - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-402B](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-402b) (registry code 0390208) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 402B-1024 - Airframe hours: 3970 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6 turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Hunts Ag-Air Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2007 - Departed: HAA, Taft, TX - Destination: Taft, TX - Airport: HAA, Hunt's Ag-Air, runway 3, 2,400 × 24 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2007; seat: single; flight hours: 640 total, 10 in this make and model, 35 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Wind: 10° at 9 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 20071010827149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071010827149A), Oct 10, 2007: Airtrc AT402B, Taff, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On October 10, 2007, at approximately 07:50 CST, an air tractor model AT-402B registration no. 5006K crash landed during take off phase at the put air… 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.