# NTSB GAA15CA152: Air Tractor AT 502B, N6107W, Edna, TX, June 24, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 24, 2015, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Edna, TX
- Coordinates: 29.1825, -96.616668 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.1825&lon=-96.6167&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 11, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 91474
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA152
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91474/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91474
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA152

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, resulting in a runway excursion, and collision with a fence.

## 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-502B, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0390307), [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-502B, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 46 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll on wet grass the airplane slid off the runway to the right. The right wing impacted a fence parallel to the runway, then the airplane cart-wheeled. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll on wet grass the airplane slid off the runway to the right. The right wing impacted a fence parallel to the runway, then the airplane cart-wheeled. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6107W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6107W), registered now, S/N 502B-3044, built 2015 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT 502B (B)
- Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-502B](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-502b) (registry code 0390307) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34AG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-34ag) (registry code 52251, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 502B-0342
- Year built: 1995
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6-34 750 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Kubecka Daniel P
- Registered owner: Kubecka Daniel P
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: EDNA, TX
- Destination: EDNA, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 19, 2014; seat: single; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 32,500 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 32,400 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 77 °F
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observed at: KPSX, 33 nm away

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 30, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91474. 1.9 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429959&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Record of conversation with pilot (courtesy of the FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 124 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429960&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20conversation%20with%20pilot%20(courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1 – Airplane Damage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 232 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429961&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Airplane%20Damage%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.