- Date
- October 1, 2013, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place
- Waco, TX
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N1013RAir Tractor AT 401
- Defining event
- Takeoff: Loss of control on ground
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report November 19, 2013
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- Western Pacific Region
- Parties
- FAA-FSDO
- FAA report
- 20131001025709A
- Case key
- 88171
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff in gusting wind conditions.
Findings · 3
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Analysis
The pilot reported that during takeoff from a grass strip, he lost control of the airplane when it encountered a gust of wind causing the airplane to roll to the right. The right wing contacted the high vegetation along the airstrip and the airplane subsequently nosed over. Both wings and the rudder were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failure with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Factual narrative
The pilot reported that during takeoff from a grass strip, he lost control of the airplane when it encountered a gust of wind causing the airplane to roll to the right. The right wing contacted the high vegetation along the airstrip and the airplane subsequently nosed over. Both wings and the rudder were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failure with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N1013R
- Reported as
- Air Tractor AT 401 (UNDESIGNAT)
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 401-0723
- Built
- 1989
- Airframe hours
- 6,575
- Engine
- P&W 1340 AN1, 600 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application · Part 137
- Operator
- Corpora Aerial Service Inc
- Registered owner
- Corpora Aerial Service Inc
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection
- Annual · July 10, 2013 · 68 hours before
- Departed
- Waco, TX
- Destination
- Waco, TX
- Airport
- None · Private, runway None, 2,000 × 20 ft, grass/turf
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 49
- Injuries
- None
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 2, With waivers/limitations
- Last flight review
- October 20, 2012
- Seat
- Center
- Restraint
- 3-point
- Flight hours
- 8,400 total · 8,000 in this make and model · 8,300 as pilot in command · 300 in the last 90 days · 100 in the last 30 days · 6 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 240° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 90 °F
Docket · 2
The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 31, 2013, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 748 KB in all.
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.