# NTSB WPR22FA239: Air Tractor AT-602, N602GH, Lind, WA, July 3, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report - Date: July 2, 2022, 17:33 local (Jul 3, 2022, 00:33 UTC) - Place: Lind, WA · field - Coordinates: 46.9588, -118.8206 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9588&lon=-118.8206&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 105411 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR22FA239 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105411/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105411 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA239 ## Probable cause The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during a steep turn, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at an altitude too low for recovery. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause) ## Analysis The pilot was conducting an aerial application flight. Surveillance video footage showed that the airplane entered a steep right turn from a straight and level attitude consistent with a course reversal. Shortly thereafter, the airplane entered a steep, nose-down, right-wing-low descent. The airplane subsequently impacted terrain in a nearly flat, upright attitude. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any mechanical failures that would have precluded normal operation. Flight control continuity was confirmed from the cockpit to all corresponding flight control surfaces. Contact signatures and fractured surfaces from internal components of the engine were consistent with the engine developing power at a high range at the time of impact. Based on the available information, it is likely that the pilot exceeded the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the turn and the airplane entered an aerodynamic stall at an altitude too low for recovery. ## Factual narrative On July 2, 2022, about 1733 Pacific daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-602, N602GH, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Lind, Washington. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. According to a witness, about 1717, the pilot departed his hangar after refueling and re-loading the hopper for an aerial application flight. GPS data revealed that the pilot was applying pesticide in a west-to-east racetrack pattern (figure 1). While maneuvering at a low altitude over an open field, about 1733, the airplane impacted terrain. Figure 1. GPS data plot of aerial application accident flight Surveillance video footage from a building about 1 nautical mile southwest of the accident site showed that the airplane was flying wings level and transitioned into a steep right turn. About seven seconds later, the airplane entered a nose-down, right--wing-low descent and then disappeared behind a knoll. Shortly after, a plume of dust appears in the video. The airplane impacted a dirt field about 4.5 nautical miles east of the hangar at an elevation of about 1,883 ft mean sea level. The wreckage debris path was about 190 ft long and oriented on a magnetic heading of about 155°. The airplane came to rest upright after it slid upslope (figure 2). Figure 2. View of accident airplane in an open field. The first point of impact was identified as an impression in the ground consistent with the left tire, followed by the left wing and belly of the airplane. The impression contained the left landing gear and fragmented pieces of fiberglass and fuselage. Ground scars and damage to the airplane were consistent with the airplane impacting terrain in a flat, shallow, left-wing-low attitude. There was no evidence of post-impact fire, but an odor consistent with Jet A fuel was present at the site. All major components of the airplane were located within the debris field. The cockpit and forward section of the fuselage sustained impact damage, including the windscreen. The instrument panel sustained forward buckling and compression damage consistent with impact. Multiple gauges from the instrument panel were displaced. The power lever, condition lever, and propeller lever were each found in the full forward position. Flight control continuity was established from the cockpit to each flight control surface, which included the elevator, rudder, and aileron controls. The wings remained attached to the fuselage and exhibited skin buckling consistent with impact damage. The left flap and aileron separated and came to rest forward of the cockpit, while the right flap and aileron remained partially attached to the right wing. Both flaps and ailerons sustained damage consistent with impact. The empennage partially separated and came to rest vertically on the rudder. The leading edges of both elevators, along with the trailing edge of the rudder, sustained compressiondamage consistent with impact. The engine, a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-65AG, remained attached to its mounts. The reduction gearbox was separated from the engine at the “A” flange. Examination of the engine revealed damage to its internal components consistent with the engine developing power at the time of impact, and damage throughout the second stage carrier slots was consistent with the engine producing power. The engine was equipped with a five-bladed, reversible Hartzell propeller. The hub and blade assembly separated from the reduction gearbox at the propeller flange. The second stage carrier No. 5 bearing journal was fractured consistent with tension overload. Each blade remained attached to the propeller hub and damage sustained was consistent with the engine operating within a high-power range at the time of the accident. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of any mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N602GH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N602GH-2023-04-12), registration cancelled 2023-04-12, S/N 602-0401, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT-602 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-602](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-602) (registry code 0390309) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-66 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-66-series) (registry code 52118, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 602-0401 - Year built: 1996 - Airframe hours: 6698 - Engines: P&W CANADA PT6A-66 SER 850 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Gemtrek LLC - Registered owner: Gemtrek LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 10, 2022 - Departed: Warden, WA - Destination: Same as departure - Equipment: Angle of attack indicator, Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: fatal; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: single; restraint: 5-point; toxicology performed; flight hours: 7,000 total, 5,000 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.74 inHg - Observed at: KMWH, 25 nm away - METAR: KMWH 022352Z 24007KT 10SM CLR 30/03 A2974 RMK AO2 SLP065 T03000033 10322 20256 56017 ## 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 20220702006369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220702006369A), Jul 2, 2022: Air Tractor Inc AT-602, Lind, WA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft was being flown in an agricultural operation doing aerial spraying. Aircraft impacted the ground south of the target field in an uncultivated field.… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 5, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105411. 160 MB in all. - Airframe and engine exam summary (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17278021&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Airframe%20and%20Engine%20Examination%20Summary_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 6 pages, 595 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17278085&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos%20239-Rel.pdf - Surveillance video footage (item 3, MP4, 153 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17272846&FileExtension=mp4&FileName=N882A3_ch10_main_20220702173008_20220702173500_2-Rel.mp4 - Global positioning system device - specialist's factual report (item 4, PDF, 9 pages, 5 photos, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15064896&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=report_final_WPR22FA239-Rel.pdf - Global positioning system device - attachment 1 (tabular data for accident flight) (item 5, CSV, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15064592&FileExtension=csv&FileName=WPR22FA239_export-Rel.csv - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 166 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17272983&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Retention-Release-of-Wreckage-Form%20N602GH%20-%20CA_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Evidence control form (item 7, PDF, 2 pages, 150 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17273452&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Evidence%20Control%20Form%20Engine%20WPR22FA239_Redacted-Rel.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.