# NTSB GAA18CA010: Air Tractor AT 402B, N80060, Brawley, CA, October 11, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 11, 2017, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Brawley, CA - Coordinates: 32.960277, -115.366943 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9603&lon=-115.3669&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 April 23, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96179 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA010 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96179/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96179 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA010 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusting crosswind conditions. ## 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-402B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0390208), [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-402B, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0390208), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=0390208), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=0390208), [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. - [Landing-landing roll: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=0390208), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=0390208), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0390208), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=0390208), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing roll in crosswind conditions, a wind gust abruptly lifted the right wing. The pilot attempted to correct with control inputs but was unsuccessful. The airplane continued to veer to the left and came to a stop in a canal. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system about 13 nautical miles from the accident site reported that, about 7 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 160° at 4 knots. The pilot reported that he landed to the east. ## Factual narrative The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing roll in crosswind conditions, a gust of wind abruptly lifted the right wing. The pilot attempted to correct with control inputs but was unsuccessful. The airplane continued to veer to the left and came to a stop in a canal. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system about 13 nautical miles from the accident site reported that, about 7 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 160° at 4 knots. The pilot reported that he landed to the east. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N80060](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N80060), registered now, S/N 402B-1355, built 2017 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT 402B (B) - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-402B](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-402b) (registry code 0390208) (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: 402B-1355 - Year built: 2017 - Airframe hours: 190.4 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6-34AG turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 4, 2017 - Departed: NA, Brawley, CA - Destination: NA, Brawley, CA - Airport: NA, Private Strip, runway 09, 2,400 × 120 ft, dirt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 7, 2017; seat: single; flight hours: 4,100 total, 300 in this make and model, 3,800 as pilot in command, 270 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.72 inHg - Observed at: KIPL, 13 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 20171011014529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171011014529A), Oct 11, 2017: Air Tractor Inc AT-402B, Brawley, CA, Substantial damage. PIC experienced loss of control (LOC) of the conventional gear, agricultural aircraft during landing rollout. Landing area was a dry, graded road adjacent to… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 12, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96179. 1.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 791 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460794&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 256 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460795&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 2 photos, 793 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460796&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.