# NTSB GAA16CA224: Air Tractor AT 502, N6181Q, Oberlin, KS, May 8, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 8, 2016, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Oberlin, KS - Coordinates: 39.833889, -100.540275 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8339&lon=-100.5403&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 14, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93134 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA224 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93134/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93134 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA224 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in runway excursion, and a ground loop. ## 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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: 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) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that during the landing roll, as the airplane slowed down, the tailwheel lifted off the ground. He further reported that the airplane veered to the right despite left rudder and brake application, exited the runway, and ground looped. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and empennage. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that during the landing roll, as the airplane slowed down, the tailwheel lifted off the ground. He further reported that the airplane veered to the right despite left rudder and brake application, exited the runway, and ground looped. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and empennage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6181Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6181Q), registered now, S/N 502B-0395, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT 502 (B) - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-502B](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-502b) (registry code 0390307) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 502B-0395 - Year built: 1996 - Airframe hours: 2882 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney 34AG-PT6A 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Kelly Sykora - Registered owner: Pioneer Agviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 8, 2016 - Departed: OIN, Oberlin, KS - Destination: OIN, Oberlin, KS - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: OIN, Oberlin Muni, runway 35, 3,501 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,058 total, 410 in this make and model, 836 as pilot in command, 31.2 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.59 inHg - Observed at: KMCK, 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 20160508005309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160508005309A), May 8, 2016: Air Tractor Inc AT-502B, Oberlin, KS, Substantial damage. The aircraft and pilot were returning after an aerial application flight. During the landing phase, on roll out, the tail was coming down after a wheel… ## Other investigations on N6181Q (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 FTW01LA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA141), Jun 12, 2001: Air Tractor AT-502B (N6181Q), Marvell, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: the improper decision of the driver of the vehicle(ATV) to enter an active airstrip. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 12, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93134. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442245&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 159 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442246&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%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.