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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

May 24, 2004 · Air Tractor AT-402 · N45553

Beedeville, AR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 24, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Beedeville, AR
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT-402
Tail Number
N45553
Operator
Agriculture and Pest Control
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW04CA139

The 14,000-hour pilot stated that he landed his tail wheel equipped airplane to the east on a 2,500-foot rough grass airstrip with a prevailing crosswind from the south. During the landing roll-out, he reversed the propeller into beta to accelerate the braking action. However, directional control was "minimized due to the crosswind", propeller reversal, and the condition of the runway. The pilot stated that the airplane drifted to the left, and the left wing tip collided with a tree causing the airplane to ground loop and impact trees with the right wing and propeller. He reported no mechanical deficiencies.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing roll-out. Contributing factors were the crosswind and condition of the the runway.

Full Narrative

On May 24, 2004, approximately 1400 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-402 single-engine tail wheel equipped airplane, N45553, was substantially damaged after a loss of directional control during landing roll-out at a private airstrip near Beedeville, Arkansas. The airline transport pilot, who was the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was owned by Nordic Greatwestern Family LP., of Houston, Texas, and operated by Quantum Flying Service. No flight plan was filed for the flight that originated at a private grass strip near Newport, Arkansas, about 1330. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. In a written statement, the 14,000-hour pilot reported that he landed to the east on a rough grass runway with a crosswind from the south. After the airplane landed, he reversed the propeller into beta to accelerate the braking action. However, directional control was "minimized due to the crosswind", propeller reversal, and the condition of the runway. The pilot stated that the airplane drifted to the left, and the left wing tip collided with a tree causing the airplane to ground loop and impact trees with the right wing and propeller. He said there were no mechanical deficiencies. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed that the propeller blades were bent back, both the left and right wings were structurally damaged, and the right landing gear strut was damaged at the fuselage attach points. At 1355, the automated surface observing station (BVX) at Batesville, Arkansas, located approximately 32 miles northwest of the accident site, reported winds from 160 degrees at 10 knots gusting to 15 knots, scattered clouds at 100 feet, broken at 1,600 feet, temperature 86 degrees Fahrenheit, dewpoint 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure setting of 29.91 inches of Mercury.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft

AircraftAir Tractor AT-402
Tail NumberN45553
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAgriculture and Pest Control
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney · PT6-27 · Turboprop · 680

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 58 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 10 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 1600 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter29.90 inHg
Observation Time13:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data