# NTSB ERA14CA030: Air Tractor AT 502, N1022N, Charleston, MS, October 21, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 21, 2013, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Charleston, MS - Coordinates: 33.99139, -90.078613 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9914&lon=-90.0786&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 13, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - NTSB case key (mKey): 88361 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA030 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88361/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88361 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA030 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with a fence. ## 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-502, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0390303), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=0390303), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0390303), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=0390303), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, during the takeoff roll the tail wheel lifted off the runway and settled back down. When the tail wheel contacted the runway, the pilot lost directional control of the airplane, veered off the runway, and collided with a fence. During the sequence of the accident both wings and the fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated that he did not have any issues with the flight controls but did "lose directional control of the airplane." The pilot also stated that he may have lost engine power, but a postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, during the takeoff roll the tail wheel lifted off the runway and settled back down. When the tail wheel contacted the runway, the pilot lost directional control of the airplane, veered off the runway, and collided with a fence. During the sequence of the accident both wings and the fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated that he did not have any issues with the flight controls but did lose directional control of the airplane. The pilot also stated that he may have lost engine power, but a postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1022N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1022N), registered now, S/N 502-0071 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT 502 (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-502](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-502) (registry code 0390303) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-60A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-60a) (registry code 52043, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 502-0071 - Year built: 1989 - Airframe hours: 8075 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6-34 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Srb Aerial Applicators LLC - Registered owner: Srb Aerial Applicators LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 25, 2013 - Departed: 09M, Charleston, MS - Destination: 09M, Charleston, MS - Airport: 09M, Charleston Municipal, runway 18, 3,000 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 1, 2013; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 23,765 total, 100 in this make and model, 23,631 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: GWO, 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 20131021025959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20131021025959A), Oct 21, 2013: Air Tractor Inc AT-502, Charleston, MS, Substantial damage. On 10/21/2013, aircraft N1022N was taking off on runway 180 at 09M with a 5-6 mile head wind. At the point of rotation aircraft was indicating take off, but… ## Other investigations on N1022N (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 WPR11LA288](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA288), Jun 25, 2011: Air Tractor AT-502 (N1022N), Lewistown, MT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The fatigue fracture and separation of the fuel bypass line, which resulted in a total loss of engine power. ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 4, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88361. 3.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40408143&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation-Brown (item 2, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40408148&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-Brown-Master.PDF - Engine teardown report (item 3, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40409690&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20teardown%20report-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1-Front view of airplane propeller damage (FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 107 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40409124&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201-Front%20view%20of%20airplane%20propeller%20damage%20(FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2-View of left wing buckling damage (FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 96 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40409126&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202-View%20of%20left%20wing%20buckling%20damage%20(FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 3-View of left wing buckling damage (FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 107 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40409127&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203-View%20of%20left%20wing%20buckling%20damage%20(FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 4-View of buckling fuselage damage (FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 106 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40409128&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204-View%20of%20buckling%20fuselage%20damage%20(FAA)-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.