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June 24, 2008 · Air Tractor AT-502B · N5005G

Bethany, MO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 24, 2008
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Bethany, MO
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT-502B
Tail Number
N5005G
Operator
Midwest Spray Service
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DFW08LA167

The pilot stated that another pilot believed the accident airplane's engine was not responding properly, so the commercial pilot decided to fly the airplane. After loading approximately 430 gallons of applicant, the pilot began his takeoff roll. During the takeoff roll, and with 1/4 runway remaining, the engine began "rolling back." The pilot raised the nose of the airplane at the departure end and cleared the airfield fence before settling back to the ground. The airplane continued to travel through a field towards a residence when the engine momentarily regained power. The airplane collided with a garage and a residence, rolled inverted and slid 50 yards. An examination of the engine and fuel control unit (FCU) bellow did not reveal any anomalies. The FCU was impact damaged and could not be tested. Testing failed to determine the reason for the loss of engine power.

NTSB Probable Cause

Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot - C

Full Narrative

On June 23, 2008, approximately 1910 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502B, N5005G, was substantially damaged upon collision with terrain following a partial loss of power during initial takeoff from Bethany Memorial Airport(75K), Bethany, Missouri. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The aerial application flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 137 without a filght plan. The commercial pilot was not injured. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The accident pilot stated that another pilot told him the engine was not responding properly. In order to see how the engine was performing, the accident pilot decided to fly the airplane. After loading approximately 430 gallons of applicant, the pilot began his takeoff roll. At approximately mid-field the airplane's tail wheel raised up, but at approximately 560 feet of runway remaining, the engine began "rolling back." The pilot raised the nose of the airplane at the departure end and cleared the airfield fence before settling back to the ground. The airplane continued to travel through a field towards a residence when the engine momentarily regained power. The airplane collided with a garage and a residence, rolled inverted and slid 50 yard before coming to rest. The engine was removed and shipped to Pratt & Whitney Canada. Under the supervision of the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB), an engine examination revealed that the engine displayed signs of rotation at the time of impact. An examination of the accessories revealed the fuel control unit (FCU) bellows was found with deformation consistent with power reduction and erratic engine performance in the high power range. Furthermore, an adjustment was noted to the FCU lever adjustment indicating possible maintenance corrections for low power. The FCU installed on the engine was found to be impact damaged and could not be tested. An examination conducted on the FCU bellows was conducted by Honeywell under the supervision of the FAA; no anomalies were detected in the FCU bellows. The bellows was returned to Pratt & Whitney Canada and, under the supervision of the TSB, was tested in a "slave" FCU with no anomalies detected.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:10 CDT
Nearest AirportBethany Memorial Airport (2nm)
Runway03
Runway Length2255 ft
Runway Width48 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAir Tractor AT-502B
Tail NumberN5005G
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMidwest Spray Service
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney Canada · PT-6-28 · Turboprop · 680
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 49 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightNr
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter30.09 inHg
Observation Time00:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data