# NTSB WPR23LA217: Air Tractor AT-502B, N6174W, Bakersfield, CA, June 5, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 5, 2023, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Bakersfield, CA - Coordinates: 35.082813, -119.00267 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0828&lon=-119.0027&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 192320 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR23LA217 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192320/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192320 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA217 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper use of flaps during the takeoff sequence which resulted in a runway overrun and collision with trees. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: configuration](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 80 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he configured the flaps to 20° while he waited for the aerial application airplane to take on 50 gallons of fuel and 400 pounds of fertilizer. He taxied onto the 2,600 ft long asphalt runway, for his 4th aerial application flight of the day. The pilot applied brakes and full power before he released the brakes to initiate the takeoff roll. About 1,300 ft down the runway, the airplane remained on the ground. The pilot applied back pressure to the control stick and the airplane ascended about 10 feet above ground level. The airplane would not climb, and the pilot applied full flaps. The airplane subsequently settled back onto the remaining 1/3rd of the runway. The pilot reported that he did not observe any cockpit instrument cautions or warnings illuminated. The airplane overran the departure end of the runway and collided with trees. The manufacturer’s airplane flight manual (AFM) contains a warning that stated, when taking off from a short-field runway, full flaps should not be used during the takeoff sequence. The use of full flaps creates large amounts of drag, lengthens the ground roll, and impairs climb performance. The pilot submitted an NTSB Form 6120.1, Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, but did not include pages 9 and 10, which encompassed the pilot’s narrative, and his assertion regarding a mechanical malfunction during the sequence of events. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6174W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6174W-2025-05-04), registration cancelled 2025-05-04, S/N 502B-0351, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC 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-0351 - Year built: 1996 - Airframe hours: 8699 - Engines: P&W PT6A 500 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Wheeler Ridge Aviation Inc, doing business as Wheeler Ridge Aviation Inc - Registered owner: Wheeler Ridge Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 1, 2023 - Airport: 0, Company Airstrip, runway 27, 2,500 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 7, 2022; seat: front; flight hours: 5,847.1 total, 770.2 in this make and model, 5,847.1 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 15 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.71 inHg - Observed at: KBFL, 21 nm away - METAR: KBFL 052254Z 33015KT 7SM CLR 27/11 A2971 RMK AO2 SLP054 T02720111 ## 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 20230605008999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230605008999A), Jun 5, 2023: Air Tractor Inc AT-502B, Bakersfield, CA, Substantial damage. On June 5, 2023, an AT-502B, Air tractor was on his 4th dispensing flight for the day. The private runway he departed from was 2500FT long. The aircraft took… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 4, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192320. 1.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 6 pages, 441 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15725002&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record of conversation PIC (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16679167&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record-Rel.pdf - Airplane flight manual -normal procedure -short field takeoff (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 117 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15721951&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=AFM%20Normal%20Procedure%20-Takeoff-Rel.pdf - Airplane flight manual required takeoff distance (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 193 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15721369&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Required%20Takeoff-roll%20Distance-Rel.pdf - Airplane flight manual required landing distance (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 199 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15722147&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Required%20Landing-roll%20Distance-Rel.pdf - Photograph (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 447 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15725572&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photograph-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.