# NTSB GAA16CA313: Air Tractor AT 802, N20361, Cairo, IL, June 12, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 12, 2016, 07:45 local (12:45 UTC) - Place: Cairo, IL - Coordinates: 37.064167, -89.219444 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0642&lon=-89.2194&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 December 5, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93380 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA313 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93380/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93380 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA313 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to ensure that the tailwheel pin was in the locked position prior to the takeoff roll, resulting in a runway excursion, ground loop, and substantial damage. ## 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-802A, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0390308), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-802A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=0390308), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-802A, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0390308), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-802A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=0390308), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/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-802A, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0390308), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-802A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=0390308), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the takeoff roll, the airplane "pulled hard to the left." He recalled that he applied full right rudder pedal and realized that he was approaching the end of the runway. He reported that he applied both brakes, he applied reverse thrust, the airplane exited the runway to the left and ground looped. The pilot reported that he did not confirm that the tailwheel pin was locked, prior to the takeoff roll. He further reported that in the future, he will confirm that the tailwheel is locked by working the tail back and forth, and he will check the tailwheel for inhibiting buildup of fertilizer, grease and dirt that would prevent tailwheel pin actuation. The right wing sustained substantial damage. Per the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Safety Inspector that arrived shortly after the accident occurred, the airplane was dispersing fertilizer as part of a 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 operation. The prolonged use of fertilizer coupled with dirt, will inhibit the tailwheel pin from locking in place. A photograph was taken shortly after the accident by the FAA Inspector revealing a canted tailwheel. The FAA Inspector reported that the mechanic that performed the inspection on the tailwheel assembly noted that the assembly was, "gummed up with fertilizer and the pin was not in place at the time of the ground loop. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the takeoff roll, the airplane "pulled hard to the left." He recalled that he applied full right rudder pedal and realized that he was approaching the end of the runway. He reported that he applied both brakes, he applied reverse thrust, the airplane exited the runway to the left and ground looped. The pilot reported that he did not confirm that the tailwheel pin was locked, prior to the takeoff roll. He further reported that in the future, he will confirm that the tailwheel is locked by working the tail back and forth, and he will check the tailwheel for inhibiting buildup of fertilizer, grease and dirt that would prevent tailwheel pin actuation. The right wing sustained substantial damage. Per the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Safety Inspector that arrived shortly after the accident occurred, the airplane was dispersing fertilizer as part of a 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 operation. The prolonged use of fertilizer coupled with dirt, will inhibit the tailwheel pin from locking in place. A photograph was taken shortly after the accident by the FAA Inspector revealing a canted tailwheel. The FAA Inspector reported that the mechanic that performed the inspection on the tailwheel assembly noted that the assembly was, "gummed up with fertilizer and the pin was not in place at the time of the ground loop. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N20361](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N20361-2018-04-18), registration cancelled 2018-04-18, S/N 802A-0420, built 2011 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT 802 (A) - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-802A](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-802a) (registry code 0390308) (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: 802A-0420 - Year built: 2011 - Engines: Pratt and Whitney PT6A-65AG 1295 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Thompson Flying Service LLC - Registered owner: Thompson Flying Service LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: CIR, Cairo, IL - Destination: CIR, Cairo, IL - Airport: CIR, Cairo Rgnl, runway 32, 4,001 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: center; flight hours: 1 total, 1 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: KCIR ## 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 20160612005799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160612005799A), Jun 12, 2016: Air Tractor Inc AT-802A, Cairo, IL, Substantial damage. Aircraft was departing runway 32 at Cairo, IL when the aircraft started pulling to the left on the takeoff roll. Pilot tried to abort takeoff but lost control… ## Other investigations on N20361 (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 GAA17CA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA117), Jan 17, 2017: Air Tractor AT 802 (N20361), Vernon, UT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain. ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 6, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93380. 959 KB in all. - Pilot's Statement (item 1, .PDF, 231 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445101&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record – Telephone Interview, FAA (item 2, .PDF, 111 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445102&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20%E2%80%93%20Telephone%20Interview,%20FAA-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 3, .PDF, 111 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445103&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Photos (item 4, .PDF, 506 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445104&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-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.