# NTSB MIA97LA195: Air Tractor AT-502, N45461, Tunica, MS, June 24, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 24, 1997, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Tunica, MS - Coordinates: 34.680156, -90.380485 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6802&lon=-90.3805&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 7, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38298 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA195 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38298/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA195 ## Probable cause The pilots poor preflight planning preparation for attempting to takeoff with a tailwind and with the hopper loaded 3/4 full during a 93degree F., day at a density altitude of 2,400 feet. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause) - wind information - disregarded, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot was attempting to takeoff with the airconditioner on and with a 5 knot tailwind on a 93 degree F., day. He applied takeoff power and reported normal power and acceleration for the temperature and wind conditions. At rotation, the airplane became airborne momentarily then touched down in a bean field. The airplane then bounced and he initiated dumping of the load of chemical but the airplane descended into the field. He stated to an FAA inspector that the airplane was probably over loaded for the existing wind and temperature conditions and there was no engine failure or malfunction. ## Factual narrative On June 24, 1997, about 1630 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502, N45461, registered to the Tunico, Inc., collided with terrain during a takeoff from an airstrip used for agricultural operations near Tunica, Mississippi. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the commercial-rated pilot was not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that to an FAA inspector that the air conditioner was on during the attempted takeoff from the southwest oriented dirt runway. The wind was from the southeast at 5 knots at the time. He applied power to takeoff and observed normal power and acceleration for the outside temperature. At rotation the airplane became airborne momentarily then settled to the ground in a bean field. The airplane then bounced into the air and at this time he activated the dump valve to dump the 3,000-pound chemical load. The airplane descended into the bean field and came to rest. The pilot further stated to the FAA inspector that the airplane was probably overloaded for the wind and temperature conditions and there was no engine failure or malfunction. A weather observation taken about 21 minutes after the accident from an airport located about 31 nautical miles from the accident site reported that the temperature was 93 degrees F, and the altimeter setting was 30.00 inHg. The density altitude was calculated to be 2,400 feet based on this information and a elevation of 200 feet at the accident site. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N45461](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N45461), registered now, S/N 502-0124, built 1990 (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: 502-0124 - Airframe hours: 4016 - Engines: P&W PT6A-34AG 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Tunica Air Service, Inc. - Registered owner: Tunico, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 24, 1997, 151 hours before - Departed: NONE - Airport: Dubbs, runway 23, 1,700 × 40 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 10,607 total, 4,015 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 6 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MEM, 31 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 19970624015929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970624015929A), Jun 24, 1997: Airtrc AT502, Tunica, MS, Substantial damage. Tried depart ag strip air condition on over gross. Crosswind high temp. Settled. Dumped load. Impacted bean field. (-23) aircraft did not develop lift during… 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.