# NTSB GAA15CA023: Air Tractor AT 602, N20062, Ropesville, TX, March 27, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 27, 2015, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Ropesville, TX - Coordinates: 33.412776, -102.15361 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4128&lon=-102.1536&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 1, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 90948 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA023 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90948/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90948 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA023 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis During an aerial application flight in a tailwheel-equipped airplane, the commercial pilot departed the airstrip with a full load of insecticide, but then realized the airplane was equipped with improper spray nozzles, and returned to the airstrip. Considering the fully loaded configuration, the pilot made one low approach and reported that everything felt normal. On the next approach the pilot touched down on the dirt portion of the runway, applied beta (reverse thrust), and immediately the airplane began yawing to the left. The pilot applied right rudder and right brake but the airplane continued to yaw left. According to the pilot, the tailwheel was not down when beta was applied, which contributed to the subsequent loss of directional control. The airplane exited the runway to the left and bounced over several crop rows causing the left main landing gear to collapse. The propeller dug into the ground and the airplane nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the firewall and right wing. When the airplane came to rest on its back, the pilot remained strapped in, upside down with his helmet on and visor down. The insecticide chemicals immediately began pouring over his face and he had the sensation that he was drowning. The pilot was able to release his seat belt and crawl out of the airplane through the emergency door. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative During an aerial application flight in a tailwheel-equipped airplane, the commercial pilot departed the airstrip with a full load of insecticide, but then realized the airplane was equipped with improper spray nozzles, and returned to the airstrip. Considering the fully loaded configuration, the pilot made one low approach and reported that everything felt normal. On the next approach the pilot touched down on the dirt portion of the runway, applied beta (reverse thrust), and immediately the airplane began yawing to the left. The pilot applied right rudder and right brake but the airplane continued to yaw left. According to the pilot, the tailwheel was not down when beta was applied, which contributed to the subsequent loss of directional control. The airplane exited the runway to the left and bounced over several crop rows causing the left main landing gear to collapse. The propeller dug into the ground and the airplane nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the firewall and right wing. When the airplane came to rest on its back, the pilot remained strapped in, upside down with his helmet on and visor down. The insecticide chemicals immediately began pouring over his face and he had the sensation that he was drowning. The pilot was able to release his seat belt and crawl out of the airplane through the emergency door. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N20062](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N20062), registered now, S/N 602-1198, built 2011 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT 602 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-602](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-602) (registry code 0390309) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-65AG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-65ag) (registry code 52109, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 602-1198 - Year built: 2011 - Airframe hours: 2022 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-65AG 1050 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: PRO AGRI SPRAYING, Inc. - Registered owner: PRO AGRI SPRAYING, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 4, 2015 - Departed: None, Ropesville, TX - Destination: None, Ropesville, TX - Airport: None, Pro-Agri Spraying, runway E/W, 3,920 × 20 ft, dirt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 23, 2014; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,277 total, 23 in this make and model, 2,177 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KLBB, 22 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 20150327003999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150327003999A), Mar 27, 2015: Air Tractor Inc AT-602, Ropesville, TX, Substantial damage. On March 27, 2015, at approximately 1500 CDT, an Air tractor AT-602 bearing the registration number N20062, registered to pro agri spraying service, lost… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 20, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90948. 4.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426734&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation (FAA Inspector) (item 2, .PDF, 69 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426735&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(FAA%20Inspector)-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (Pilot) (item 3, .PDF, 72 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426736&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot)-Master.PDF - Weather Information - KLBB (item 4, .PDF, 37 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426737&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Information%20-%20KLBB-Master.PDF - Photo 1 – Airplane Nosed Over (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 168 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426738&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Airplane%20Nosed%20Over%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 – Rudder and Fuselage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 229 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426739&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20Rudder%20and%20Fuselage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.