# NTSB GAA19CA289: Air Tractor AT802, N802WW, Fisher, AR, May 27, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 27, 2019, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Fisher, AR - Coordinates: 35.503612, -91.006668 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5036&lon=-91.0067&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 17, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99507 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA289 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99507/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99507 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA289 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a ditch. ## 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) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); 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) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-802A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=0390308), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/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: 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: 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) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, after filling the hopper with fertilizer and during the takeoff roll to the north, the airplane "encountered a gust of wind from the southwest." The airplane veered left, exited the airstrip, and impacted a ditch. 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. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, after filling the hopper with fertilizer (urea), during the takeoff roll to the north, he "encountered a gust of wind from the southwest." The airplane veered left, exited the airstrip to the left, and impacted a ditch. The pilot reported that the wind was 225 º at 20 knots, gusting up to 25 knots. The airplane departed to the north. 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N802WW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N802WW), registered now, S/N 802A-0434 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT802 (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-0434 - Year built: 2011 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-65AG turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Whirlwind Aviation Inc - Registered owner: Larry T. Neal - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: 48AR, Fisher, AR - Destination: Fisher, AR - Airport: 48AR, Whirlwind Aviation, runway 36, 1,800 × 20 ft, concrete - Equipment: Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 11, 2018; seat: single; flight hours: 21,198 total, 3,400 in this make and model, 19,741 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 225° at 20 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 82 °F - Observed at: KM19, 11 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 20190527005259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190527005259A), May 27, 2019: Air Tractor Inc AT-802A, Fisher, AR, Substantial damage. N802WW attempted northerly takeoff on a dry grass airstrip located on wixon lane in Fisher, Arkansas. After travelling approximately 500 feet, the aircraft… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 26, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99507. 2.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484798&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 96 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484799&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 3, .PDF, 384 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484800&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.