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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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September 21, 1996 · Air Tractor 402 · N1517G

Mayersville, MS

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 21, 1996
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Mayersville, MS
Aircraft
Air Tractor 402
Tail Number
N1517G
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL96LA130

At the end of a spray run, the airplane collided with trees, located in a densely wooded area, adjacent to the field being treated. According to the pilot's partner, the swath run was flown with a tailwind of about eight knots. The treated field was about 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile in length. The aircraft manufacturer noted that in turbinr powered the airplane, spray runs were typically conducted at speeds of about 150 to 170 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's misjudgment of his ground speed and distance to trees during the swath run, and his delayed pull-up at the end of the swath run, which resulted in his failure to remain clear of the trees. The tail wind and location of the trees were related factors.

Full Narrative

On September 21, 1996, about 1515 central daylight time, an Air Tractor 402, N1517G, collided with trees during an aerial application swath run near Mayersville, Mississippi. The airplane was operated by Lake Washington Flying Service under Title 14 CFR Part 137, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the flight. The commercial pilot was fatally injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Origination of the flight was Glen Allan, Mississippi about 1430 on the same day. According to the inspector who visited the accident site, the airplane collided with trees at the end of a swath run. The inspector, and the operator who has been an agricultural pilot for about 17 years, stated that they believed the airplane was conducting the spray swath downwind, with about an eight knot tailwind. They indicated in their respective reports that the airplane was scattered through a densely wooded area for about 800 feet. There was general disintegration of the airplane along the debris trail. According to the inspector, the propeller was heavily damaged indicative of high powered rotation during the impact sequence. The aircraft manufacturer stated that, in the turbine powered airplane, spray runs are typically conducted about 150-170 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:15 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAir Tractor 402
Tail NumberN1517G
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6A-27 · Turboprop · 680
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 41 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 6 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3300 ft
Temperature / Dew Point59
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time19:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data