# NTSB GAA17CA323: Air Tractor AT 802, N802NB, Prosser, WA, June 5, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 5, 2017, 07:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Prosser, WA
- Coordinates: 46.113609, -119.514724 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.1136&lon=-119.5147&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 3, 2017
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 95306
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA323
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95306/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95306
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA323

## Probable cause

The pilot’s abrupt maneuver to avoid hay bales during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a loss of directional control.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [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)
- [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)
- [Object/animal/substance: debris/dirt/foreign object](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-802A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055/cases.md?model=0390308), [All aircraft, 101 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Takeoff: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-802A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=0390308), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/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: 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: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-802A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=0390308), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-802A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=0390308), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during an agricultural application flight, about 800 ft into the takeoff roll on a gravel airstrip, he veered the airplane to the right to avoid hay bales that were stacked on the left side of the runway. He added that, as the airplane veered right, the right-wing spray boom encountered tall wheat, and the airplane exited the right side of the runway. Subsequently, the airplane came to rest nose down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during an aerial application flight, approximately 800 ft. into the takeoff roll on a gravel airstrip, he veered the airplane to the right to avoid hay bales that were stacked on the left side of the runway. He added that as the airplane veered right, the right-wing spray boom encountered tall wheat, and the airplane exited the right side of the runway. Subsequently, the airplane came to rest nose down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N802NB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N802NB), registered now, S/N 802A-0640, built 2016 (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-0640
- Year built: 2016
- Airframe hours: 917
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-65AG turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Air-Trac Inc
- Registered owner: Air-Trac Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 15, 2017
- Departed: PVT, Prosser, WA
- Destination: PVT, Prosser, WA
- Airport: PVT, Sun Heaven Airstrip
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 18, 2016; seat: single; flight hours: 6,150 total, 917 in this make and model, 6,070 as pilot in command, 240 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observed at: KRLD, 15 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 20170605008199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170605008199A), Jun 5, 2017: Air Tractor AT-802A, Prosser, WA, Substantial damage. During the takeoff roll from a Remote airstrip that was 50' to 60' wide, the airplane drifted right of centerline to avoid a stack of hay bales located aprox…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 20, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95306. 3.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454385&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 296 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454386&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Record of Conversation (item 3, .PDF, 276 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454387&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-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.

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