# NTSB FTW97LA331: Air Tractor AT-802A, N9197F, Pineland, TX, August 27, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 27, 1997, 17:20 local (22:20 UTC) - Place: Pineland, TX - Coordinates: 31.240743, -93.969238 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.2407&lon=-93.9692&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 26, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20330 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA331 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20330/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA331 ## Probable cause failure of the right main wheel brake, during the landing roll. A factor relating to the accident was: the pilot's failure (or inability) to maintain directional control of the airplane, after loss of right braking action. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll - landing gear,normal brake system - failure (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, landing - roll - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor) - ground loop/swerve - Main gear collapsed, landing - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Analysis According to the pilot, he departed Pineland with a load of chemicals, but could not locate the assigned field. He returned to the airport with his full load and was landing on runway 35. The pilot reported that when he 'attempted to stop the airplane by using Beta, the right brake failed and the engine torque pulled the airplane to the left into a ground loop.' During the ground loop, the right main gear folded under the fuselage and bent the right wing at the mid-point. ## Factual narrative On August 27, 1997, approximately 1720 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-802A, N9197F, was substantially damaged during landing roll at the Pineland Municipal Airport, near Pineland, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant in the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was operated by Aero Tech, Inc., under Title 14 CFR Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial application flight which originated approximately 30 minutes before the accident. No flight plan was filed. According to the pilot, he departed Pineland with a load of chemical but could not locate the assigned field. He returned to the airport with his full load and was landing on runway 35. The pilot reported that when he "attempted to stop the airplane by using Beta, the right brake failed and the engine torque pulled the airplane to the left into a ground loop." The ground loop folded the right main gear under the fuselage and bent the right wing at the mid-point. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9197F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9197F-2022-08-12), registration cancelled 2022-08-12, S/N 802A-0009, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-802A - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-802A](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-802a) (registry code 0390308) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 802A-0009 - Engines: P&W PT6A-67R 1350 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Mark E. Lane - Registered owner: Aero Tech Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: T24 - Airport: T24, Pineland Muni, runway 35, 3,700 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 11,595 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 10,471 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LFK, 40 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 19970827024249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970827024249A), Aug 27, 1997: Airtrc AT802, Pineland, TX, Substantial damage. Reported right brake locked while landing. Tipped up on right side. Impact tore off right wing and gear. (-23) on August 27, 1997 at 1720 cdst, air tractor… ## Other investigations on N9197F (2) 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 WPR21LA310](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA310), Jul 30, 2021: Air Tractor AT-802A (N9197F), Fort Sumner, NM, destroyed. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a windmill while maneuvering during an aerial application flight. - [NTSB CEN10LA217](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA217), Apr 21, 2010: Air Tractor AT-802A (N9197F), Alpine, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. 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.