# NTSB WPR14CA317: Air Tractor AT 802A, N802TY, Hazelton, ID, July 28, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 28, 2014, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Hazelton, ID - Coordinates: 42.57611, -114.136108 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5761&lon=-114.1361&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 13, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 89759 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA317 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89759/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89759 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA317 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff roll in variable wind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-802A, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0390308), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-802A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=0390308), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Wind: variable wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-802A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md?model=0390308), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-802A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=0390308), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-802A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=0390308), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during takeoff roll in a tail wheeled airplane for the aerial application flight, as he rotated the airplane, it would not lift off and he applied full flaps. The airplane would still not lift off the runway, so he jettisoned the entire load from the hopper. Subsequently, the airplane pitched up and despite his control inputs, stalled, and impacted the ground. Substantial damage was sustained to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot added that he felt that either a downdraft or change in wind direction occurred at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during takeoff roll in a tail wheeled airplane for the aerial application flight, as he rotated the airplane, it would not lift off and he applied full flaps. The airplane would still not lift off the runway, so he jettisoned the entire load from the hopper. Subsequently, the airplane pitched up and despite his control inputs, stalled, and impacted the ground. Substantial damage was sustained to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot added that he felt that either a downdraft or change in wind direction occurred at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N802TY](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N802TY-2024-09-26), registration cancelled 2024-09-26, S/N 802A-0556, built 2014 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT 802A (A) - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-802A](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-802a) (registry code 0390308) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67AG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-67ag) (registry code 52211, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 802A-0556 - Airframe hours: 305 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67AG 1350 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Red Baron AG Service Inc - Registered owner: Red Baron AG Service Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 15, 2014 - Departed: U94, Hazelton, ID - Destination: U94, Hazelton, ID - Airport: U94, Hazelton Muni, runway 06, 2,800 × 90 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 7, 2014; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,684 total, 302 in this make and model, 3,617 as pilot in command, 293 in the last 90 days, 148 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: BYI, 16 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 20140728011219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140728011219A), Jul 28, 2014: Air Tractor Inc AT-802A, Hazelton, ID, Substantial damage. The pilot stated that he had been operating from Hazelton Municipal Airport (altitude 4173) all day and was on load number 15 for the day. The wind was 3 to 5… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 10, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89759. 3.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418770&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 24 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418771&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF 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.