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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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August 17, 2009 · Air Tractor AT-502B · N5003C

Whittemore, IA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 17, 2009
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Whittemore, IA
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT-502B
Tail Number
N5003C
Operator
Dennis Meyer
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN09CA533

The airplane settled onto the runway after becoming airborne during takeoff. The airplane became airborne a second time and this time it settled into a bean field off the end of the runway. The airplane then contacted a ditch and crossed a road prior to coming to rest in another bean field. The pilot stated the airplane was at or near gross weight, but he did not calculate the weight and balance. He stated the engine was running normal and he was confident the airplane was going to stay airborne which is why he did not dump the chemical load.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's lack of preflight planning and remedial action with resulted in the airplane's inability to climb out of ground effect.

Full Narrative

The airplane settled onto the runway after becoming airborne during takeoff. The airplane became airborne a second time and this time it settled into a bean field off the end of the runway. The airplane then contacted a ditch and crossed a road prior to coming to rest in another bean field. The pilot stated that the airplane was at or near gross weight, but he did not calculate the weight and balance. He stated that the engine was running normal and he was confident the airplane was going to stay airborne which is why he did not dump the chemical load.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:20 CDT
Nearest AirportSTEIER (0nm)
Runway33
Runway Length2850 ft
Runway Width70 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAir Tractor AT-502B
Tail NumberN5003C
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDennis Meyer
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6A 15AG · Turboprop · 680
Seats1

People & Injuries

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

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter30.03 inHg
Observation Time19:15
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data