# NTSB ERA10LA385: Air Tractor AT-602, N9046D, Canton, MS, July 29, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 29, 2010, 18:03 local (23:03 UTC) - Place: Canton, MS - Coordinates: 32.601387, -90.033889 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6014&lon=-90.0339&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report November 5, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 76796 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10LA385 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76796/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76796 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA385 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: 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 According to the operator, the pilot was practicing maneuvers in the agricultural application airplane to improve his skills. Several witnesses observed the airplane spiraling nose down just before it impacted the ground, consistent with it having entered an aerodynamic stall. One of the witnesses recalled hearing the airplane's engine running during the accident sequence. No mechanical anomalies were noted during the postaccident examination of the airplane; however, the airplane was severely damaged due to the severe impact forces and post-crash fire. An annual inspection was completed on the airplane and engine 4 months prior to the accident, with no anomalies noted. Postaccident toxicological testing and autopsy findings revealed no evidence of a medical anomaly and no evidence of drugs or alcohol in the pilot's system. The pilot had been flying the airplane for about 1 month prior to the accident and had accumulated 54 hours of flight experience during that time. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 29, 2010, at 1803 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-602, N9046D, collided with the ground in a heavily wooded area while maneuvering, in Canton, Mississippi. The certificated commercial pilot was fatally injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged by impact forces and post-crash fire. The flight was operated as a personal flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight originated from a private grass strip in Canton, Mississippi, at an undetermined time. According to the operator, the pilot was practicing maneuvers in the airplane to improve his skills. The operator stated that the pilot had accumulated about 50 hours of total flight experience in this airplane at the time of the accident. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector interviewed witnesses at the scene. According to the inspector, two witnesses observed the airplane spiraling nose down just before it impacted the ground. One of the witnesses recalled hearing the airplane's engine running during the accident sequence. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane multiengine land and instrument airplane. He also held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, and single-engine sea. The pilot's most recent FAA second-class medical certificate was issued on September 9, 2005. At that time, he reported 704 hours of total flight experience. Examination of the pilot's logbook revealed he had accumulated 1,009 hours of total flight experience, 54 of which were in the accident airplane. According to the logbook, the pilot began flying the accident airplane on July 4, 2010. The pilot also held an experimental aircraft builder repairman certificate. The limitation on the certificate was for experimental aircraft: Arnold GT500, serial number: GT500/0275. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The accident airplane was a low-wing, single engine airplane, manufactured in 1999. The airplane was powered by a Pratt & Whitney PT6A turboprop engine. Examination of the airplane and engine logbooks revealed the most recent annual inspection was completed on March 4, 2010 at a recorded time of 5,615 hours. No anomalies were noted during the inspection. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION The weather recorded at Jackson-Evers International Airport (JAN), Jackson, Mississippi, at 1754, included wind from 300 degrees at 7 knots, scattered clouds at 4,800 feet, temperature 33 degrees C, dew point 22 degrees C, and altimeter 30.04 inches mercury. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the airplane impacted the ground in a nose down near vertical attitude, between two soy bean fields. The airplane came to rest inverted and burned. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION The Mississippi StateMedical Examiner's Office performed an autopsy on the pilot on July 30, 2010. The cause of death was listed as multiple blunt force injuries. The FAA Toxicology and Accident Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma conducted toxicological testing on the pilot. No drugs or alcohol were detected as a result of the testing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9046D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9046D-2014-12-03), registration cancelled 2014-12-03, S/N 602-0562, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC 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-60AG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-60ag) (registry code 52101, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 602-0562 - Airframe hours: 5615 - Engines: P&W CANADA PT6A-60AG 1050 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Ag Pilots Inc - Registered owner: Ag Pilots Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2010 - Departed: PVT, Canton, MS - Destination: PVT, Canton, MS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: fatal; private, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,009 total, 54 in this make and model, 996 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: JAN, 18 nm away ## 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 20100729039759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100729039759A), Jul 29, 2010: Air Tractor AT-602, Canton, MS, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. On July 29, 2010, at approximately 1800 local time, the pilot was operating an AT-602 aircraft. The aircraft was being operated under part 91. Witnesses stated… ## Other investigations on N9046D (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 MIA01LA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA01LA036), Dec 6, 2000: Air Tractor AT-602 (N9046D), Clarksville, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's delay in aborting a takeoff after hitting a soft spot (sand) in the runway resulting in the airplane going off the end of the runway and colliding with trees. Contributing to the accident… ## Docket (9 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 6, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76796. 17.0 MB in all. - FAA Inspector Statement (item 1, .PDF, 41 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40374673&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF - Aircraft Logbook (excerpt) (item 2, .PDF, 134 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40374674&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Aircraft%20Logbook%20(excerpt)-Redacted.PDF - Retention / Release of Wreckage Form (item 3, .PDF, 62 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40374678&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Retention%20%2F%20Release%20of%20Wreckage%20Form-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 4, .PDF, 42 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40374675&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Toxicological Report (item 5, .PDF, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40374676&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report-Master.PDF - Pilot's Logbook (excerpt) (item 6, .PDF, 219 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40374679&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Logbook%20(excerpt)-Master.PDF - Photo 1: Fuselage section (photo courtesy of FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 5.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40374697&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Fuselage%20section%20(photo%20courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Wing section (photo courtesy of FAA) (item 8, .PDF, 5.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40374698&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Wing%20section%20(photo%20courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 3: Engine buried; note prop blades (photo courtesy of FAA) (item 9, .PDF, 4.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40374699&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%3A%20Engine%20buried;%20note%20prop%20blades%20(photo%20courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.