# NTSB MIA98LA202: Air Tractor 502, N9184R, Clewiston, FL, July 17, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 17, 1998, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Clewiston, FL - Coordinates: 26.750852, -80.929115 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.7509&lon=-80.9291&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 28, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43201 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA98LA202 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43201/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA202 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to attain adequate airspeed. A tailwind was a contributing factor. ## Analysis The pilot initiated a takeoff to the east from the last half of a one mile dirt road and after becoming airborne, the airplane cleared 10-foot high obstruction near the end of the road and then began descending. The airplane impacted the ground in a sugar cane field and came to rest upright. The wind at the time was from the west-southwest and the pilot further stated that there was no mechanical failure or malfunction. ## Factual narrative On July 17, 1998, about 1700 eastern daylight time, an Air Tractor 502, N9184R, registered to Air Crop Care, Inc., collided with terrain during takeoff from a dirt road near Clewiston, Florida. 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, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that the fuel tanks were full and the hopper was loaded with 3,600 pounds of dry fertilizer; nearly 7/8 full. He initiated a takeoff to the east using the second half of a mile-long dirt road. The airplane became airborne and cleared a 10-foot-tall exhaust of a pump located at the end and slightly to the right of the runway centerline. The flight continued but began descending, during which, the left wing of the airplane collided with sugarcane about 50 feet past the departure end of the runway. The airplane yawed to the left coming to rest upright on a heading 180 degrees from the takeoff heading. The pilot further stated that there was no mechanical failure or malfunction and at the time of takeoff, the wind was from the west-southwest at 2-3 knots. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - crop ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9184R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9184R-2005-08-30), registration cancelled 2005-08-30, S/N 502-0214, built 1993 (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: 502-0214 - Airframe hours: 2780 - Engines: P&W PT6A-34AG turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Air Crop Care, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 27, 1998, 250 hours before - Airport: runway 9, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 6,000 total, 400 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PBI, 46 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 19980717025019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980717025019A), Jul 17, 1998: Airtrc AT502, Clewiston, FL, Substantial damage. (.4) On July 17, 1998, about 1700 eastern daylight time, an air tractor 502, N9184R, registered to air crop care, inc., collided with terrain 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.