# NTSB FTW92DRD03: Air Tractor AT-502, N45383, Kaplan, LA, June 15, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: June 15, 1992, 11:40 local (16:40 UTC)
- Place: Kaplan, LA
- Coordinates: 30.020528, -92.500434 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0205&lon=-92.5004&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18331
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92DRD03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18331/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92DRD03

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO LOWER FLAPS TO THE TAKEOFF POSITION.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Overrun, takeoff
  - object - tree(s)
  - lowering of flaps - not performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKEOFF FROM AN AGRICULTURAL AIRSTRIP WHILE LOADED WITH CHEMICALS WHEN TAKEOFF SPEED COULD NOT BE ATTAINED. THE TEMPERATURE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90 DEGREES WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. HE ATTEMPTED TO LOWER THE FLAPS TO THE TAKEOFF POSITION BEFORE HE WENT INTO THE AREA BEYOND THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK TREES AND CAME TO REST NEAR A NEARBY ROAD. THE PILOT STATED THE FLAPS WOULD NOT LOWER DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL. THE FAA COORDINATOR EXAMINED THE FLAPS AND FOUND THEM FUNCTIONAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N45383 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR AT-502
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 502-0113
- Engines: P&W PT6-34 500 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Hank'S Flying Service
- Registered owner: Hank'S Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 9, 1991
- Departed: LA19
- Destination: LA19
- Airport: LA19, Hanks, runway 17, 1,930 × 130 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 9,000 total, 8,750 as pilot in command, 450 in the last 90 days, 150 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LFT, 21 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 19920615020209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920615020209A), Jun 15, 1992: Airtrc AT502, Kaplin, LA, Substantial damage. Full load,short strip and no flaps. Unable to liftoff. Dumped load,struck trees.

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.