# NTSB SEA07CA244: Air Tractor AT-502B, N8521Z, Salome, AZ, August 30, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 29, 2007, 22:00 local (Aug 30, 2007, 05:00 UTC)
- Place: Salome, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.674999, -113.774719
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6750&lon=-113.7747&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66547
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA07CA244
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66547/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA244

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the tailwind condition and failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll/run, which resulted in a ground loop.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - tailwind
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

According to the pilot, during the downwind takeoff on Runway 27 "...the tail came up at the 'normal spot' then went back down.  I wasn't going to get airborne by the end of the airstrip and attempted to stop the airplane."  The pilot stated that the airplane then ground looped with the left wing contacting the ground, turning the airplane 180 degrees and coming to rest upright facing the southeast.  Damage to left wing included both the front and rear spars being bent.  The pilot reported that the airstrip is a one-way strip running east and west, with takeoffs to the west only.  The pilot reported that the wind at the time of the accident was from 135 degrees magnetic estimated at 10 knots, with gusts estimated at 20 knots.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, during the downwind takeoff on Runway 27 "...the tail came up at the 'normal spot' then went back down.  I wasn't going to get airborne by the end of the airstrip and attempted to stop the airplane."  The pilot stated that the airplane then ground looped with the left wing contacting the ground, turning the airplane 180 degrees and coming to rest upright facing the southeast.  Damage to left wing included both the front and rear spars being bent.  The pilot reported that the airstrip is a one-way strip running east and west, with takeoffs to the west only.  The pilot reported that the wind at the time of the accident was from 135 degrees magnetic estimated at 10 knots, with gusts estimated at 20 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8521Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8521Z), registered now, S/N 502B-0693, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-502B
- Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-502B](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-502b) (registry code 0390307) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 502B-0693
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34AG turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Thomas A Wood
- Registered owner: Thomas A Wood
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: Salome, AZ
- Airport: NONE, Vicksburg Farms Airstrip, runway 27, 2,600 × 100 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; flight hours: 17,000 total, 5,000 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 135° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Temperature: 100 °F

## 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 20070829023489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070829023489A), Aug 29, 2007: Airtrc AT502B, Vicksburg, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot departed dirt strip downwind, to the west with a load. Tailwheel was lifting off and settling back down repeatedly. Pilot attempted to abort the…

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.

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