# NTSB FTW96LA177: Air Tractor AT-502B, N6050D, Pond Creek, OK, April 18, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 18, 1996, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Pond Creek, OK - Coordinates: 36.659992, -97.799827 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6600&lon=-97.7998&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 September 19, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19811 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA177 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19811/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA177 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper planning/decision and failure to obtain/maintain sufficient airspeed to climb after takeoff, which resulted in a stall/mush and subsequent collision with terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: failure of the pilot to follow short field takeoff procedures, and his delay in jettisoning the chemical load. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - short field takeoff/procedure - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - airspeed - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - load jettison - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff ## Analysis According to the pilot, he had routinely flown off the 2,800 foot runway with a similar load; however, on this takeoff, the airplane was not airborne at the usual place. The pilot attempted to dump the chemical load, but he missed the dump handle. After reaching the end of the runway, the airplane became airborne, crossed a ravine where the ground dropped off approximately 30 feet into a creek bed, and impacted terrain on the far side of the creek. The pilot reported that he normally followed the manufacturer's recommended short field takeoff procedure, which called for the use of a 10 degree flap setting; however, he indicated that he might not have used the flaps on the accident flight. ## Factual narrative On April 18, 1996, approximately 1700 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502B, N6050D, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during takeoff near Pond Creek, Oklahoma. The airplane was registered to Homestead Leasing Corporation and operated by Homestead Farms Flying Service as a Title 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The commercial pilot was not injured. The flight was originating from Homestead Farms Airport at the time of the accident. During an interview, conducted by an FAA inspector, the pilot reported that he had routinely flown off the 2,800 foot runway with a similar load; however, on this takeoff, the airplane was not airborne at the usual place. He attempted to dump chemical, but missed the dump handle. Upon reaching the end of the runway, the airplane became airborne, crossed a ravine where the ground dropped off approximately 30 feet into a creek bed, and impacted the ground on the far side of the creek. According to the FAA inspector, the airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, and the empennage. The pilot did not submit a written statement with his Pilot/Operator Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2. During a telephone interview, conducted by the investigator-in-charge, the pilot stated that he normally followed the manufacturer's recommended short field takeoff procedure which calls for the use of a 10 degree flap setting. When questioned concerning the use of flaps on the accident flight, the pilot stated that he had been "running longer than usual," was tired, and may not have used flaps. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6050D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6050D-1997-03-24), registration cancelled 1997-03-24, S/N 502B0254 (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) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 502B-0254 - Airframe hours: 726 - Engines: P&W PT6A-34A 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Homestead Farms Flying Service - Registered owner: Homestead Leasing Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: OK72 - Airport: OK72, Homestead Farms, runway 35, 2,800 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 16,129 total, 1,050 in this make and model, 16,000 as pilot in command, 236 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 8 knots - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F ## 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 19960418007859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960418007859A), Apr 18, 1996: Airtrc AT502B, Pond Creek, OK, Substantial damage. Not accelerating normal. Tried dump load. Missed. Got airborne end runway. Jumped Creek. Hit bank. Failed use flaps (-23) aircraft took off on 2800 foot runway… 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.