# NTSB DFW08CA084: Air Tractor AT602, N602KP, Back Gate, AR, March 13, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 13, 2008, 07:15 local (12:15 UTC) - Place: Back Gate, AR - Coordinates: 34, -91.349998 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0000&lon=-91.3500&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Little Rock, AR - NTSB case key (mKey): 67700 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08CA084 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67700/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA084 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft. A contributing factor was the wet, grass runway. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: glassy surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023025): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023025/cases.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023025/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: wet surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md) - [Airport facilities/design: runway/landing area condition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017035): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017035/cases.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 400 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The commercial pilot had completed an aerial application flight and was returning for the second load. During the landing on a private grass airstrip, the tailwheel-equipped airplane started to slide. The pilot stated that the grass was wet from the morning dew, and that he could not get the airplane to stop. The airplane subsequently slid into a small levy and culvert, resulting in separation of the left main landing gear. The airplane received substantial damage and came to rest in the inverted position. ## Factual narrative The 9,905-hour commercial pilot had completed an aerial application flight and was returning for the second load. During the landing on a private grass airstrip, the tail-wheel equipped airplane started to slide. The pilot stated that the grass was wet from the morning dew, and that he could not get the airplane to stop. The airplane subsequently slid into a small levy and culvert, resulting in separation of the left main landing gear. The airplane received substantial damage and came to rest in the inverted position. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N602KP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N602KP-2018-11-06), registration cancelled 2018-11-06, S/N 602-0421, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT602 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-602](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-602) (registry code 0390309) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-66 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-66-series) (registry code 52118, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 602-0421 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: K& P Flying Service - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: Back Gate, AR - Destination: Back Gate, AR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2007; seat: front; flight hours: 9,905 total, 5,500 in this make and model, 124 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F ## 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 20080313014019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080313014019A), Mar 13, 2008: Airtrc AT602, Back Gate, AR, Substantial damage. (-23) On 03/13/08 air tractor, AT-602, N602KP, attempted second VFR landing of the day at 0730 in grass field at his origin of flight at Back Gate, AR. The… 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.