# NTSB GAA19CA010: Air Tractor AT 402, N1500E, Crowley, LA, October 8, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 8, 2018, 10:20 local (15:20 UTC) - Place: Crowley, LA - Coordinates: 30.055, -92.245834 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0550&lon=-92.2458&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 September 26, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98433 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA010 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98433/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98433 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA010 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, which resulted in a collision with vegetation and a subsequent loss of directional control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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-402, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=0390205), [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-402, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0390205), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=0390205), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=0390205), [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. - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0390205), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0390205), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he did not want to take off from the wet grass airstrip he normally used, so he decided to take off from an asphalt road that paralleled the grass on the left side of the airstrip. During the takeoff roll, the left wing collided with tall vegetation, and the airplane veered left and exited the road. The airplane subsequently impacted a drainage culvert. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he did not want to take off from the wet grass airstrip he normally used so he decided to takeoff from the asphalt road that parallels the grass on the left side of the airstrip. During the takeoff roll, the left wing collided with tall vegetation and the airplane veered left and exited the road. The airplane subsequently impacted a drainage culvert. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1500E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1500E), registered now, S/N 402-0820 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT 402 (Undesignat) - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-402](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-402) (registry code 0390205) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 402-0820 - Year built: 1991 - Airframe hours: 13655.6 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-15AG 680 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Leleuxs Flying Service Inc. - Registered owner: Leleuxs Flying Service Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 28, 2018 - Departed: PVT, Crowley, LA - Destination: 3R2, Crowley, LA - Airport: PVT, Private, runway 180, 2,600 × 25 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 29, 2017; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 9,773 total, 3 in this make and model, 9,386 as pilot in command, 157 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 77 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KIYA, 10 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 20181008016749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181008016749A), Oct 8, 2018: Air Tractor Inc AT-402, Crowley, LA, Substantial damage. On departure roll left wing caught tall grass on left side of aircraft. Aircraft was pulled into ditch on left side due to drag on left wing resulting in a… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 17, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98433. 3.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473454&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 283 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473455&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.