# NTSB SEA08CA113: Air Tractor AT-502, N1519U, Waitsburg, WA, April 27, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 27, 2008, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Waitsburg, WA - Coordinates: 46.291667, -118.083335 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.2917&lon=-118.0833&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 67894 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA08CA113 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67894/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA113 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain while maneuvering at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the rising terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Terrain: mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md?model=0390303), [All aircraft, 329 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=0390303), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=0390303), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis After arriving at the steep hillside field to which he was going to apply chemicals, the pilot maneuvered at low level over the field in an attempt to determine the best pattern to fly to accomplish the job. During that process he inadvertently allowed the airplane to get into a position from which it was not able to climb over the rising terrain. Although he dumped his chemical load and leveled the airplanes wings, the airplane impacted the terrain about 75 feet below the top of a ridge. ## Factual narrative After arriving at the steep hillside field to which he was going to apply chemicals, the pilot maneuvered at low level over the field in an attempt to determine the best pattern to fly to accomplish the job. During that process he inadvertently allowed himself to get in a position from which the airplane was not able to climb over the rising terrain. Although he dumped his chemical load and leveled the airplane's wings, the airplane impacted the terrain about 75 feet below the top of a ridge. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1519U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1519U-2023-12-26), registration cancelled 2023-12-26, S/N 502-0154, built 1991 (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 Canada PT6A-60A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-60a) (registry code 52043, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 502-0154 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6-15 turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Gregory M. Beck - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: Waitsburg, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 17,900 total, 500 in this make and model, 65 in the last 90 days, 65 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °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 20080427832069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080427832069A), Apr 27, 2008: Airtrc AT502, Dayton, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) On 4-27-2008 at approximately 0830 local time the pilot [privacy data omitted] was acting as pilot in command of N1519U, an air tractor AT-502 operated… ## Other investigations on N1519U (1) 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. - [NTSB CEN21LA354](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA354), Aug 4, 2021: Air Tractor AT-502 (N1519U), Wooster, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot inadvertently collided with powerline wires during an agricultural spraying flight, resulting in a loss of aircraft control and subsequent impact with the ground. 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.