# NTSB ERA17LA286: Air Tractor AT 402A, N247LA, Shaw, MS, August 21, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 21, 2017, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Shaw, MS · Bean field - Coordinates: 33.599723, -90.781112 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5997&lon=-90.7811&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: Air Tractor, TSBC, Pratt & Whitney Canada, FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 95863 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA17LA286 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95863/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95863 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA286 ## Probable cause The pilot’s decision to attempt takeoff at high gross weight, in high density altitude conditions, and with insufficient runway length. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight planning. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=0390206), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: performance calculations](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010/cases.md?model=0390206), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: weight/balance calculations](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015/cases.md?model=0390206), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Awareness of condition; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=0390206), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=0390206), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=0390206), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=0390206), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0390206), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was departing on an agricultural application flight from a 2,300-ft-long runway. When the airplane reached the end of the runway, the pilot could "feel that the airplane did not want to fly." The pilot extended the flaps, then dumped the spray load that was in the airplane’s hopper tank in an attempt to become airborne; however, the airplane continued off the end of the runway, crossed a drainage ditch, and came to rest in a bean field, resulting in substantial damage. The airplane’s hopper was loaded with about 3,400 lbs of a mixture of herbicide and other chemicals, which exceeded the hopper’s placarded limitation of 3,250 lbs. The airplane’s estimated weight at the time of the accident was 1,864 lbs higher than the manufacturer’s published gross weight and about 264 lbs more than field experience showed could be carried safely with adequate margins of performance and structural strength. Calculations by the airplane manufacturer using takeoff data of a similar airplane from a previous company test program indicated a takeoff ground roll distance of about 2,322 ft. Given the density altitude about the time of the accident, the airplane’s takeoff distance would have been increased by 24%, and there would have been an 18% decrease in its rate of climb. No preimpact failures or malfunctions were discovered that would have precluded normal operation. Despite the numerous indicators that the takeoff conditions were marginal, such as the high air temperature, high gross weight, and a short runway, the pilot failed to evaluate the conditions that existed in relation to the performance capability of the airplane. ## Factual narrative On August 21, 2017, about 1830 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-402A airplane, N247LA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident in Shaw, Mississippi. The pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The airplane impacted terrain during takeoff from Tapley Airport (1MS0), Shaw, Mississippi. The pilot reported that he had a full load of herbicide onboard in the hopper tank. After applying engine power for takeoff, he noticed that the instruments were indicating maximum engine torque and maximum engine rpm. When the airplane reached the end of the paved portion of the runway, he could "feel that the airplane did not want to fly." He then lowered the wing flaps and "pushed the throttle to the stop," but the airplane was still not flying. As he approached the end of the runway, he dumped the load of herbicide. As the airplane continued off the end of the runway, the left wing "went down," and the right wing "went up" as the airplane crossed a drainage ditch. The airplane then slid, spun around, and came to rest in a bean field. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the airplane was substantially damaged. All four propeller blades were bent about mid-span, the aft fuselage was bent and torn almost in half, the right main landing gear wheel had separated from its mounting position and the gear leg was bent inward, the tail wheel landing gear assembly had separated from its mounting position, and the right and left wings were bent, twisted, and displayed visible wrinkling of the upper surfaces. No preimpact failures or malfunctions were discovered with the airplane or engine. The pilot advised that, before the accident flight, he had been flying all day and had previously taken two loads of the same mixture and quantity in the hopper tank with no indication of any problems. Review of weight and balance information submitted by the pilot indicated that he had calculated the weight of the load in the hopper (which he listed as consisting of Gramoxone, sodium chlorate, and water) at 3,350.70 lbs, 100.7 lbs higher than Air Tractor’s placarded hopper limit of 3,250 lbs. He had also calculated the takeoff weight to be 8,543.20 lbs, which was 1,543.20 lbs more than Air Tractor’s published maximum gross weight of 7,000 lbs. Review of photographs taken by the FAA revealed that the hopper contained 4 gallons of Gramoxone, 48 gallons of sodium chlorate, 4 gallons of fungicide, and 1 gallon of surfactant. Calculations by Air Tractor indicated that the load in the hopper at the time of the accident weighed about 3,400 lbs, which was about 150 lbs higher than the placarded limit of 3,250 lbs. Calculations also revealed that the airplane’s total takeoff weight was about 8,863.5 lbs, which was about 1,863.5 lbs more than the manufacturer’s published gross weight. At the time of certification ofthe airplane design, the Civil Air Regulations (CARs) and Civil Aeronautics Manual (CAM) were in effect. Chapter 8 (CAR 8/CAM 8), provided for the type and airworthiness certification of aircraft built or modified for special purposes (for example, crop dusting, seeding, and spraying) and eliminated the “equivalent level of safety” provision for restricted category aircraft. CAM 8 also set forth acceptable procedures and practices for guidance for those airplanes that were certificated under CAR 8 and allowed the use of CAM 8 in approving gross weight increases, if CAR 8 was used as part of the certification basis. Published guidance by Air Tractor advised that the AT-402A/402B was certificated by the manufacturer for a gross weight of 7,000 lbs starting with serial number 402A-1021; however, under the provisions of CAM 8, the operator could select its own maximum operating weight, and field experience showed that operating weights up to 8,600 pounds could be carried safely with adequate margins of performance and structural strength. Air Tractor did not publish weight and balance data above the certificated gross weight of 7,000 lbs. The closest weather reporting station was located at Cleveland Municipal Airport (RNV), Cleveland, Mississippi, 10 nautical miles north of the accident site. At 1835, the weather report included wind from 280° at 4 knots, 10 miles visibility, scattered clouds at 4,800 ft, temperature 33°C, dew point 24°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.04 inches of mercury. Density altitude was calculated as about 2,472.8 ft around the time of the accident. Calculations by Air Tractor using takeoff data of a similar airplane from a previous company test program indicated that the calculated ground roll distance on a paved surface at 35ºC at sea level was about 2,322 ft. Review of an FAA Koch Chart, which depicts the effects of density altitude on takeoff and climb performance, indicated that, given the atmospheric conditions present at the time of the accident, takeoff distance would have been increased by 24%, and there would have been an 18% decrease in rate of climb. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N247LA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N247LA-2019-04-16), registration cancelled 2019-04-16, S/N 402A-1247, built 2012 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT 402A - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-402A](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-402a) (registry code 0390206) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-21](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-21) (registry code 52172, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 402A-1247 - Year built: 2012 - Airframe hours: 2679 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-31 550 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Boair Inc - Registered owner: Boair Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2017, 249 hours before - Departed: 1MS0, SHAW, MS - Destination: 1MS0, SHAW, MS - Airport: 1MS0, Tapley Airport, runway 27, 2,300 × 50 ft, concrete - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 21, 2017; seat: single; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 5,400 total, 3,850 in this make and model, 5,300 as pilot in command, 325 in the last 90 days, 155 in the last 30 days, 17 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: RNV, 10 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 20170821011599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170821011599A), Aug 21, 2017: Air Tractor Inc AT-402A, Shaw, MS, Substantial damage. Around 6:30 pm, August 21, 2017 aircraft registration number N247LA crash on takeoff in Shaw, Mississippi. The pilot reported that as he was trying to take off… ## Docket (17 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 31, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95863. 22.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 7 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12271664&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot statement and interview summary (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 547 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12271894&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Statement%20and%20Interview%20Summary_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Excerpt from AT-402 owner's manual - certification basis (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 70 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12271674&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Excerpt%20from%20AT-402%20Owner%27s%20Manual%20-%20Certification%20Basis-Rel.pdf - Excerpt from AT-402A AFM - full hopper load and short field (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 147 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12272277&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Excerpt%20from%20AT-402A%20AFM%20-%20Full%20Hopper%20Load%20and%20Short%20Field-Rel.pdf - Excerpt from AT-402A AFM - length of takeoff run over 50 foot obstacle (item 5, PDF, 2 pages, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12271741&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Excerpt%20from%20AT-402A%20AFM%20-%20Length%20of%20Takeoff%20Run%20Over%2050%20Foot%20Obstacle-Rel.pdf - Excerpt from AT-402A AFM - takeoff and climb performance (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 103 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12272366&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Excerpt%20from%20AT-402A%20AFM%20-%20Takeoff%20and%20Climb%20Performance-Rel.pdf - Excerpt from AT-402A AFM - weight and center of gravity limitations (item 7, PDF, 1 page, 118 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12272514&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Excerpt%20from%20AT-402A%20AFM%20-%20Weight%20and%20Center%20of%20Gravity%20Limitations-Rel.pdf - Pilot's weight and balance (item 8, PDF, 1 page, 83 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12271684&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Weight%20and%20Balance-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - weight and balance information from aircraft manufacturer (item 9, PDF, 2 pages, 151 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12273287&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Information%20from%20Airplane%20Manufacturer-Rel.pdf - Weather reports and records - krnv metars (item 10, PDF, 2 pages, 155 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12274003&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records%20-%20KRNV%20METARs-Rel.pdf - Weather reports and records - NWS calculators (item 11, PDF, 3 pages, 463 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12274846&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records%20-%20NWS%20Calculators-Rel.pdf - FAA koch chart (item 12, PDF, 1 page, 108 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12273769&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Koch%20Chart-Rel.pdf - Accident area - tapley airport (1MS0) (item 13, PDF, 1 page, 11.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12273817&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Area%20-%20Tapley%20Airport%20(1MS0)-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 14, PDF, 9 pages, 5.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12273009&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - FAA airplane examination (item 15, PDF, 1 page, 140 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12274304&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20FAA%20Airplane%20Examination-Rel.pdf - Statement of party representatives to NTSB investigation (item 16, PDF, 1 page, 179 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12274836&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA17LA286%20Party%20Form%20(Schroeder)_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 17, PDF, 1 page, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12275379&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Wreckage%20Release_Redacted-Rel.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.