# NTSB GAA17CA164: Air Tractor AT 802, N422BR, Prentiss, MS, February 28, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 28, 2017, 13:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Prentiss, MS - Coordinates: 31.595277, -89.906387 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5953&lon=-89.9064&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 June 7, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94798 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA164 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94798/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94798 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA164 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to take off with a gusting tailwind and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control. ## 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) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-802A, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=0390308), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/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-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) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-802A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=0390308), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-802A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=0390308), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-802A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=0390308), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-802A, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=0390308), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [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-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-802A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=0390308), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-802A, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0390308), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Fire/smoke (post-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-802A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md?model=0390308), [All aircraft, 354 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during takeoff in gusting tailwind conditions, as the tailwheel lifted, the airplane drifted to the left and off the runway. He aborted the takeoff and applied "maximum braking" and reverse thrust. During the runway excursion, the airplane impacted a ditch and spun 180°. The pilot added that, as he exited the cockpit, he observed "dark smoke coming from the exhaust and cowling with smoldering burning grass." He reported that he discharged the onboard fire extinguisher into the engine exhaust, main landing gear, and grass. He added that hydraulic fluid leaking from a severed brake line and fuel leaking from the cowl and lower right wing were feeding the postimpact fire. Shortly thereafter, the local volunteer fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. The fuselage and both wings sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the wind was from 180º at 15 knots, gusting to 28 knots. The closest automated weather observation station, located about 38 nautical miles from the accident site, recorded wind from 180° at 14 knots, gusting to 22 knots. The airplane took off from runway 30. ## Factual narrative The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during takeoff in gusting tailwind conditions, as the tailwheel lifted, the airplane drifted to the left and off the runway. He aborted the takeoff and applied "maximum braking" and reverse thrust. During the runway excursion, the airplane impacted a ditch and spun 180°. The pilot added that as he exited the cockpit, he observed "dark smoke coming from the exhaust and cowling with smoldering burning grass." He reported that he discharged the onboard fire extinguisher into engine exhaust, main landing gear, and grass. He added that hydraulic fluid leaking from a severed brake line and fuel leaking from the cowl and lower right wing were feeding the post-impact fire. Shortly thereafter, the local volunteer fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. The fuselage and both wings sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported the wind was 180º at 15 knots with gusts to 28 knots. The closest automated weather observation station, about 38 nautical miles from the accident location, recorded a wind of 180° at 14 knots, gusting to 22 knots. The airplane took off runway 30. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N422BR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N422BR-2018-07-02), registration cancelled 2018-07-02, S/N 802A-0362, built 2010 (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-67AG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-67ag) (registry code 52211, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 802A-0362 - Year built: 2010 - Airframe hours: 2880 - Engines: P&W Canada PT6A-67AG 1300 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Positioning, Part 137 - Operator: Airbourn Aviation LLC. - Registered owner: Airbourn Aviation LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, December 31, 2016 - Departed: M43, PRENTISS, MS - Destination: LUL, LAUREL, MS - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: M43, Prentiss-Jefferson Davis Count, runway 30, 3,100 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 8, 2017; seat: single; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 12,106 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 11,048 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 14 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: KMCB, 38 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 20170228011079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170228011079A), Feb 28, 2017: Air Tractor Inc AT-802A, Prentiss, MS, Substantial damage. During take-off, pilotreported a sudden wind change resulting in the aircraft veering uncontrollably to the left which could not be corrected (through control… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 4, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94798. 4.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40451782&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 189 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40451783&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 5 photos, 900 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40451784&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%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.