# NTSB FTW97LA140: Air Tractor AT-502, N9185G, Watson, AR, March 23, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 23, 1997, 06:30 local (12:30 UTC) - Place: Watson, AR - Coordinates: 33.889202, -91.25077 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8892&lon=-91.2508&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 9, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20182 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA140 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20182/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA140 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to attain lift off speed and the ground loop/swerve encountered. Factors were the gravel and soft terrain at the end of the runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, takeoff - aborted - lift-off - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - aborted takeoff - initiated, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor) - Nose over, takeoff - aborted ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the airplane's takeoff roll, 'I went about 700 feet and made a decision that it wasn't gonna come off the ground. I shut it down and when I got to the end of my asphalt I hit gravel, [and] los[t] the airplane when it tried to ground loop.' The airplane's main landing gear 'sunk' in mud, and the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. ## Factual narrative On March 23, 1997, approximately 0630 central standard time, an Air Tractor AT-502, N9185G, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during an aborted takeoff on a private ag-strip near Watson, Arkansas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant in the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was owned by K&P Farms Inc. and operated by K&P Flying Service as a Title 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight which was originating at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that during the airplane's takeoff roll, "I went about 700 feet and made a decision that it wasn't gonna come off the ground. I shut it down and when I got to the end of my asphalt I hit gravel, [and] los[t] the airplane when it tried to ground loop." The airplane's main landing gear "sunk" in mud, and the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The engine mount, cockpit structure, and the vertical stabilizer were damaged. The pilot reported to the investigator-in-charge (IIC) that he had been flying an Air Tractor 602 which is powered by a Pratt & Whitney PT6-60. This model turbine engine produces 1050 shaft horsepower. He stated to the IIC that this was his first flight "in some time" in an Air Tractor 502 which is powered by a Pratt & Whitney PT6-15. This model engine produces 680 shaft horsepower. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9185G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9185G), registered now, S/N 502-0213, built 1993 (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 PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52032, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 502-0213 - Airframe hours: 2560 - Engines: P&W PT6-15 680 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: K&P Farms Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 14, 1997, 100 hours before - Departed: NONE - Airport: NONE, K & P Airstrip, runway 18, 2,600 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 2,200 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °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 19970323003449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970323003449A), Mar 23, 1997: Airtrc AT502, Dumas, AR, Substantial damage. Aircraft unable to gain enough power on takeoff, went over the departure end of runway. (-23) pilot stated he had approximately 375 gallons of 2-4-0 in hopper,… ## Other investigations on N9185G (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 CEN14LA349](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA349), Jul 7, 2014: Air Tractor AT-502 (N9185G), Carthage, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The airplane’s inability to climb out of ground effect, which resulted from the pilot using a lower power setting than needed for takeoff due to the mechanic’s installation of the wrong engine torque… 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.