# NTSB ERA12CA517: Air Tractor AT-402B, N5127T, Gum Neck, NC, August 17, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 17, 2012, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Gum Neck, NC - Coordinates: 34.809444, -76.185554 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8094&lon=-76.1856&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 14, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84736 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA517 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84736/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84736 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA517 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during the takeoff roll. Contributing to the accident was the rough condition of the runway. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=0390208), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402B, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0390208), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [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-402B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0390208), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0390208), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402B, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0390208), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=0390208), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was taking off from an 80-foot-wide, rough grass airstrip to conduct an aerial application flight. During the takeoff roll, the airplane began to bounce and drift to the right. The airplane’s right wing contacted the adjacent corn crop, and the airplane veered further right into the corn field, where it nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot stated that he did not experience any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was conducting an aerial application flight and taking off from an 80-foot-wide, rough grass private airstrip. During the takeoff roll, the airplane began to bounce and drift to the right. The airplane’s right wing contacted corn and it subsequently veered further to the right and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot stated that he did not experience any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5127T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5127T-2017-11-28), registration cancelled 2017-11-28, S/N 402B-1022, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT-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-1022 - Airframe hours: 6290 - Engines: P&W PT6A-15AC 680 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Tim Whitfield Aviation Inc - Registered owner: Tim Whitfield Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 20, 2012 - Departed: NONE, Gum Neck, NC - Destination: NONE, Gum Neck, NC - Airport: NONE, Private, runway 09, 2,600 × 80 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 30, 2010; seat: center; flight hours: 16,800 total, 8,000 in this make and model, 16,800 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: FFA, 30 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 20120817021909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120817021909A), Aug 17, 2012: Air Tractor Inc AT-402B, Gum Neck, NC, Substantial damage. Operator attempted take off fully loaded from unfamilier soft field runway. Runway condition was tall grass, with rutts and holes. Aircraft sprung into Air… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 26, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84736. 751 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 468 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377375&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Additional Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 12 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377376&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Additional%20Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Photograph # 1 – View of airplane as it came to rest (item 3, .PDF, 133 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377301&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%201%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20airplane%20as%20it%20came%20to%20rest-Master.PDF - Photograph # 2 – View of main wreckage after recovery to hangar. (item 4, .PDF, 137 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377304&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%202%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20main%20wreckage%20after%20recovery%20to%20hangar.-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.