# NTSB FTW04CA112: Air Tractor AT-502B, N5196J, San Angelo, TX, April 21, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 21, 2004, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: San Angelo, TX - Coordinates: 31.3575, -100.496109 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3575&lon=-100.4961&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: San Antonio FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59355 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW04CA112 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59355/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04CA112 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper preflight performance planning, and his failure to establish a climb. Factors were the high density altitude and crosswind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - climb - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he stated that he "didn't plan well" for the flight. He attempted to takeoff on about a 180-degree heading from a 3,000-foot-long dirt strip on a hot day with 500 gallons of chemicals on board, full fuel tanks, and a crosswind. He applied full power, started the take-off roll, and the airplane became airborne. But, when the airplane got to the end of the runway, it "wouldn't fly." The pilot tried to dump the chemical load, but was unsuccessful. Subsequently, the landing gear contacted tree tops, and the airplane rolled and collided with the ground. Once the airplane came to a stop, it caught on fire. Weather conditions at an airport located 20 nautical miles northwest of the accident were wind from 250 degrees at 12 knots gusting to 16 knots, clear skies, temperature 84 degrees Fahrenheit, and dew point 37 degrees Fahrenheit. The density altitude was 4,179 feet. ## Factual narrative On April 21, 2004, approximately 1230 central daylight time, an Air Tractor 502B single-engine airplane, was destroyed by fire after it collided with terrain during takeoff from Powell Ranch near San Angelo, Texas. The commercial rated pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local, aerial application flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. According to the pilot, he stated that he "didn't plan well" for the flight. He attempted to takeoff on about a 180-degree heading from a 3,000-foot-long dirt strip on a hot day with 500 gallons of chemicals on board, full fuel tanks, and a crosswind. He applied full power, started the take-off roll, and the airplane became airborne. But, when the airplane got to the end of the runway, it "wouldn't fly." The pilot tried to dump the chemical load, but was unsuccessful. Subsequently, the landing gear contacted tree tops, and the airplane rolled and collided with the ground. Once the airplane came to a stop, it caught on fire. The pilot reported a total of 14,522 flight hours, of which, 577 hours were in this make and model airplane. He also reported there were no mechanical deficiencies. The weather observation facility at San Angelo Regional Airport/Mathis Field (SJT), near San Angelo, Texas, approximately 20 miles northwest of Powell Ranch, at 1251, reported the wind from 250 degrees at 12 knots gusting to 16 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, sky clear, and a barometric pressure setting at 29.71 inches of Mercury. The temperature was 84 degrees Fahrenheit, and the dew point was 37 degrees Fahrenheit. The field elevation was 1,919 feet mean sea level. The density altitude was calculated by the investigator-in-charge at 4,179 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5196J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5196J-2004-11-09), registration cancelled 2004-11-09, S/N 502B-0555, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-502B - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-502B](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-502b) (registry code 0390307) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 0555 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT-34 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Summers Spraying Service Inc, doing business as Summers Spraying Service - Registered owner: Bert Bruton - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: San Angelo, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review February 5, 2004; seat: front; flight hours: 14,522 total, 577 in this make and model, 14,515 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 12 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.70 inHg - Observed at: SJT ## 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 20040421018309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040421018309A), Apr 21, 2004: Airtrc AT502B, San Angelo, TX, Destroyed. (-23) On April 21, 2004, approximately 1230 CST, N5196J, an air tractor 502B single-engine airplane, was destroyed by fire after it collided with terrain… 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.