# NTSB LAX02LA240: Air Tractor AT-502, N293JK, San Manuel, AZ, July 27, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 27, 2002, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: San Manuel, AZ - Coordinates: 32.63639, -110.647224 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6364&lon=-110.6472&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 55318 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA240 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55318/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55318 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA240 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering in a box canyon, which resulted in a stall/mush. A factor in the accident was downdraft conditions that led to an uncontrolled decent. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction - low altitude flight/maneuver - initiated, pilot in command - terrain condition - blind/box canyon - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor) - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - encountered, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly ## Analysis The airplane collided with mountainous terrain while maneuvering in a box canyon. The purpose of the flight was to seed a fire devastated portion of a National Forest. The area where he was applying seed was in a box canyon that he had flown into several times, in days prior. After successfully completing a seed run, near the closed end of the canyon, he began a course reversal turn. About halfway through the turn, the airplane experienced a rapid loss of altitude. He ascertained that the airplane would not be able to complete the turn, and leveled the wings. The airplane stalled, and collided with flat terrain on the side of the mountain. He thought the loss of altitude that he experienced was the result of mountain downdrafts. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On July 27, 2002, about 1130 mountain standard time, an Air Tractor AT-502, N293JK, collided with mountainous terrain while maneuvering in a box canyon approximately 13 miles southwest of San Manuel Airport , San Manuel, Arizona. Devil Dusters, Inc., was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local aerial application flight departed San Manuel about 1115. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. In a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to seed a fire devastated portion of the Coronado National Forest. The area where he was applying seed was in a box canyon that he had flown into several times, in days prior. After successfully completing a seed run, near the closed end of the canyon, he began a course reversal turn. About halfway through the turn, the airplane experienced a rapid loss of altitude. He ascertained that the airplane would not be able to complete the turn, and leveled the wings. The airplane stalled, and collided with flat terrain on the side of the mountain. He thought the loss of altitude that he experienced was the result of mountain downdrafts. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N293JK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N293JK-2012-02-25), registration cancelled 2012-02-25, S/N 502-0210, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-502 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-502](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-502) (registry code 0390303) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52032, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 502-0210 - Airframe hours: 3750 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6-34 750 lbs thrust turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Devil Dusters Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, August 31, 2001, 90 hours before - Departed: E77, San Manuel, AZ - Destination: E77, San Manuel, AZ - Airport: E77, San Manuel Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 3, 2000; seat: center; flight hours: 7,920 total, 75 in this make and model, 7,805 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KTUS, 35 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 20020727016899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020727016899A), Jul 27, 2002: Airtrc AT502, Sanmanuel, AZ, Destroyed. (.19) On July 27, 2002, about 1130 mountain standard time, an air tractor AT-502, N293JK, collided with mountainous terrain approximately 13 miles southwest of… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 26, 2004, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55318. 340 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 310 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463898&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation: Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 29 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40209397&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%3A%20Pilot-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.