# NTSB GAA18CA447: Air Tractor AT502, N254LA, Iowa, LA, July 26, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 26, 2018, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Iowa, LA - Coordinates: 30.224445, -93.000274 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2244&lon=-93.0003&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 5, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97905 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA447 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97905/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97905 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA447 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. ## 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-502A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0390306), [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-502A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0390306), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=0390306), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0390306), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=0390306), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=0390306), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0390306), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot in the tailwheel-equipped, restricted-category airplane, he had performed an agricultural flight and was landing to take on another load. He made a three-point landing with full flaps and closed the throttle. He stated that, during the landing roll, the airplane "turned violently to the right and got very light on the gear." The airplane’s nose had turned 45° right of the runway centerline, so he applied left brake and left rudder and then he added power. As the power increased, the airplane rolled left. The left wing struck the ground, and the pilot pulled the throttle to idle and then he applied reverse thrust and full brakes. However, the airplane exited the runway and collided with a drainage culvert. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing spar and aileron. The pilot reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was light and variable, but dust devils were present. Additionally, he reported that the accident could have been prevented by landing at a higher airspeed to keep airflow over the rudder and by minimizing the engine thrust. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot in the tailwheel-equipped, restricted category airplane, he had performed an agricultural flight and was landing to take on another load. He made a three-point landing with full flaps and closed the throttle. During the landing roll, the airplane "turned violently to the right and got very light on the gear." The nose of the airplane had turned 45° to the right of the runway centerline, so he applied left brake and left rudder, and then he added power. As the power increased, and the airplane rolled to the left. He reported that the left wing struck the ground and he pulled the throttle to idle, and then he applied reverse thrust and full brakes. However, the airplane exited the runway and collided with a drainage culvert. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing spar and aileron. The pilot reported that about the time of the accident the wind was light and variable, but dust devils were present. Additionally, he reported that the accident could have been prevented by landing at a higher airspeed to keep air flow over the rudder, and by minimizing the engine thrust. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N254LA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N254LA), registered now, S/N 502A-3054, built 2016 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT502 (A) - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-502A](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-502a) (registry code 0390306) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-140AG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-140ag) (registry code 51800, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 502A-3054 - Year built: 2016 - Airframe hours: 965 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-140AG 867 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Obrien's Flying Service Inc - Registered owner: Obrien's Flying Service Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 20, 2018 - Departed: LA71, Iowa, LA - Destination: LA71, Iowa, LA - Airport: LA71, O'Brien Flying Service, runway 03, 3,800 × 100 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 20, 2018; seat: single; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 21,639 total, 965 in this make and model, 21,502 as pilot in command, 310 in the last 90 days, 105 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: KCWF, 7 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 20180726018069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180726018069A), Jul 26, 2018: Air Tractor Inc AT-502A, Iowa, LA, Substantial damage. Pilot was landing the aircraft on a grass strip, pilot stated the aircraft made contact with the ground and did a violent right turn, pilot stated he tried to… ## Other investigations on N254LA (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 CEN26LA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA118), Feb 12, 2026: Air Tractor AT-502A (N254LA), Sulphur, LA, substantial damage, investigation ongoing ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 22, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97905. 3.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471301&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 246 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471302&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.