- Date
- September 6, 2000, 14:10 local (19:10 UTC)
- Place
- Segraves, TX
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N6174HAir Tractor 402B
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report July 17, 2001
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 20000906014629A
- Case key
- 50244
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the irrigation system. A factor was the whirlwind weather condition.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot was applying chemical to a cotton field when the airplane encountered a 'large whirlwind.' The aircraft impacted an irrigation system separating both main landing gear. The pilot continued flying the airplane approximately one mile before executing a forced landing in a plowed field.
Factual narrative
On September 6, 2000, at 1410 central daylight time, an Air Tractor 402B agricultural airplane, N6174H, was substantially damaged when it impacted an irrigation system while maneuvering near Seagraves, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by McIntyre Spraying Service Inc., of Seagraves. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight originated from the Seagraves Airport at 1300.
According to the pilot, he was flying from east to west applying malathion to a cotton field when the airplane encountered a "large whirlwind." The aircraft impacted an irrigation system separating both main landing gear. The pilot continued flying the airplane approximately 1 mile before executing a forced landing in a plowed field.
An examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed that both main landing gear separated from the airframe, the main wing carry-through spar was damaged, and the right wing spar was structurally damaged.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N6174H
- Reported as
- Air Tractor 402B
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 402B-0994
- Engine
- P&W PT6-15AG, 680 horsepower, turbo prop
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application · Part 137
- Registered owner
- Mcintyre Sparying Service Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed
- F97 · Seagraves, TX
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 64
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Center
- Flight hours
- 16,000 total · 2,500 in this make and model
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 135° at 3 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 91 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.