# NTSB FTW97LA012: Air Tractor AT-502, N4533H, Idalou, TX, October 8, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 8, 1996, 17:45 local (22:45 UTC) - Place: Idalou, TX - Coordinates: 33.659553, -101.680793 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6596&lon=-101.6808&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 3, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20088 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA012 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20088/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA012 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper planning/decision, which resulted in an overrun during takeoff and an encounter with cotton (crop) and rough/uneven terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: the excessive loading of the airplane for the existing conditions, the short runway, the high density altitude, and the pilot's delay in jettisoning the load. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, takeoff - roll/run - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft weight and balance - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor) - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - short runway/landing area (contributing factor) - performance data - not available, manufacturer - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - load jettison - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor) - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) ## Analysis According to an FAA inspector, the pilot was attempting to depart his 2,300 foot long dirt airstrip with a 3,040 pound payload of cotton defoliant for a local aerial application flight. He stated that the airplane failed to become airborne and overran the departure end of the airstrip. He added that the airplane managed to break ground, but its wheels dragged on cotton plants and eventually decelerated the airplane to the point where the flight could not be maintained. Subsequently, the airplane encountered furrows perpendicular to its takeoff path and was damaged. The pilot stated that 'the gross weight of the airplane exceeded the ability of the airplane to become airborne within the length of the runway.' The pilot added that 'attempts to jettison the load near the end of the strip were not in sufficient time to prevent running off the end of the runway.' Based on figures provided by the operator, the density altitude was calculated to be 9,500 feet. The approved airplane flight manual did not provide performance data on the required takeoff roll for this flight. ## Factual narrative On October 8, 1996, at 1745 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502, N4533H, was substantially damaged during takeoff from a private airstrip near Idalou, Texas. The airplane, owned and operated by Everitt Aerial Spraying Inc., was being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 137 at the time of the accident. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the FAA inspector, the pilot was attempting to depart his 2,300 foot long dirt airstrip with a 3,040 pound payload of cotton defoliant for a local aerial application flight. The pilot told the FAA inspector that the airplane failed to become airborne and overran the departure end of the airstrip impacting furrows perpendicular to the aircraft takeoff path. In the narrative portion of the enclosed NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated that "the gross weight of the airplane exceeded the ability of the aircraft to become airborne within the length of the runway." The pilot added that "attempts to jettison the load near the end of the strip were not in sufficient time to time to prevent running off the end of the runway." During a telephonic interview with the investigator-in-charge, the pilot stated that he had been operating from the same runway with a 350 gallon load (500 gallon hopper) all afternoon. The pilot stated that he was aware that the chemical being sprayed on the last flight was changed over to a heavier chemical, and he expected the takeoff roll to increase by another 50 to 100 yards. He added that the airplane managed to break ground as he anticipated, but the wheels of the airplane dragged on the cotton plants and eventually decelerated the airplane to the point where the flight could not be maintained. Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed that the left main landing gear collapsed and the left wing sustained structural damage. The flaps were found in the retracted position; however, the pilot stated that he used flaps for takeoff and he retracted them prior to exiting the airplane. Based on figures provided by the operator, the density altitude at the time of the accident was calculated at 9,500 feet. The approved airplane flight manual does not provide any performance data on the required takeoff roll for this flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4533H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4533H-2003-03-18), registration cancelled 2003-03-18, S/N 502-0105 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-502 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-502](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-502) (registry code 0390303) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-60A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-60a) (registry code 52043, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 502-0105 - Airframe hours: 2580 - Engines: P&W PT6A-15AG 680 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Emmett R. Everitt - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 19, 1996, 390 hours before - Airport: NONE, Everitt, runway 27, 2,300 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 4,229 total, 2,188 in this make and model, 4,167 as pilot in command, 316 in the last 90 days, 207 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 39 °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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19961008031249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961008031249A), Oct 8, 1996: Airtrc AT502, Idalou, TX, Substantial damage. Over gross weight. Failed to fly or abort. Ran off end strip. Dumped load to late. High density altitude factor. (-23) on October 8, 1996, at 1745 central… ## Other investigations on N4533H (1) 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. - [NTSB FTW99LA152](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA152), May 28, 1999: Air Tractor AT-502 (N4533H), Cherry Valley, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadvertent stall due to his evasive maneuver to avoid colliding with a truck on the runway. A factor was the runway incursion by the truck. 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.