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NTSB Report

June 29, 2000 · Piper PA-36-285 · N57596

Bovina, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 29, 2000
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Bovina, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA-36-285
Tail Number
N57596
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW00LA189

The agricultural airplane, carrying a full load of fertilizer, 'could not fly out of ground effect' during takeoff from a private airstrip. As the airplane neared the end of the airstrip and encroached on an irrigation system, the pilot pulled the nose of the airplane up and initiated a load dump. The pilot stated that he did not put the dump handle in the emergency dump position, and the fertilizer 'was not dumped quick enough.' The airplane stalled after clearing the irrigation system and impacted the ground. The density altitude, at the time of the accident, was calculated by the NTSB investigator-in-charge to be approximately 5,730 feet. The pilot reported that a 'lighter load for conditions' would have prevented this accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in the pilot exceeding the aircraft's takeoff performance. Factors were the high density altitude and the pilot's delayed load jettison.

Full Narrative

On June 29, 2000, at 1230 central daylight time, a Piper PA-36-285 agricultural airplane, N57596, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during takeoff from a private airstrip near Bovina, Texas. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by Rhodes Crop Care, Inc., of Bovina, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the FAA inspector, who responded to accident site, the pilot was departing the private airstrip with a full load of fertilizer. The FAA inspector stated that, during the takeoff, the airplane "could not fly out of ground effect." He added that when the airplane neared the end of the runway and encroached on an irrigation system, "the pilot pulled up on the nose to clear the irrigation system and initiated a load dump." The pilot stated that he did not put the dump handle in the emergency dump position, and the fertilizer "was not dumped quick enough." The FAA inspector stated that the airplane stalled after clearing the irrigation system and impacted the terrain nose first. The fuselage sustained structural damage. In the enclosed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), under the section titled "Recommendation (How Could This Accident Have Been Prevented), the pilot wrote, "lighter load for conditions." The density altitude, at the time of the accident, was calculated by the NTSB investigator-in-charge to be approximately 5,730 feet.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:30 CDT
Nearest AirportRhodes Crop Care (1nm)
Runway0
Runway Length4200 ft
Runway Width30 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-36-285
Tail NumberN57596
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsReciprocating

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 33 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 10 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 1800 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 63 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data