# NTSB MIA98LA178: Air Tractor 502, N1502U, Clarksdale, MS, June 4, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 4, 1998, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Clarksdale, MS - Coordinates: 34.200714, -90.569702 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2007&lon=-90.5697&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 8, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38532 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA98LA178 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38532/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA178 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to extend the flaps for takeoff. A factor was his diverted attention to the loading of the airplane. ## Analysis The pilot stated that he had became distracted by the loader placing a greater amount into the hopper than the previous loads, and as a result, he failed to extend the flaps for takeoff. During the takeoff roll he noted that the airplane was not becoming airborne where it previously had, but thought this was due to the increased load. The airplane went off the end of the runway into a field, collapsing the right main landing gear. ## Factual narrative On June 4, 1998, about 1530 central daylight time, an Air Tractor 502, N1502U, registered to a private individual, was substantially damaged during takeoff from an airstrip near Clarksdale, Mississippi. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. The commercial-rated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that he became distracted by the loader placing a greater amount into the hopper than the previous loads, and he failed to extend the flaps for takeoff. During the takeoff roll, he noted that the airplane was not becoming airborne where it previously had, but thought this was due to the added load in the hopper. The airplane went off the end of the runway into a bean field, collapsing the right main landing gear. He further stated that there was no preimpact failure or malfunction of the engine or airframe. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, takeoff - roll/run - lowering of flaps - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - open field - Gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1502U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1502U), registered now, S/N 502-0139, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor 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: 502-0139 - Airframe hours: 2094 - Engines: P&W PT6A-34 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Shannon Agricultural Flying - Registered owner: Frances W. Shannon - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 13, 1998, 35 hours before - Airport: Mascot Planting Co., runway 27, 2,000 × ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 4,794 total, 150 in this make and model, 4,647 as pilot in command, 125 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 10 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 77 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: GWO ## 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 19980604012589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980604012589A), Jun 4, 1998: Airtrc AT502, Clarksdale, MS, Substantial damage. On June 4 ,1998, about 1530 central daylight time, an air tractor 502, N1502U, registered to a private individual, was substantially damaged during takeoff… 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.