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May 4, 2017 · Air Tractor AT 502 Undesignat · N144HF

Tahoka, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 4, 2017
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Tahoka, TX
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT 502 Undesignat (1989)
Tail Number
N144HF
Operator
Plains Aerial Applications
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CEN17LA190

The commercial pilot of the aerial application flight reported that he had flown several flights in the morning and the airplane was operating normally. Before the final flight of the day, while the airplane was being loaded with product, he heard a noise, but all engine gauges appeared normal. He taxied down the runway and took off. About 30 ft above the ground, the airplane started making more noise and the engine was surging. The pilot attempted to add more power, but the engine did not respond. As the pilot was about to dump the chemical load, the airplane veered to the left and impacted the ground. After the pilot exited the airplane, a postcrash fire ensued. Detailed examination of the engine was not possible due to the severe fire damage.

NTSB Probable Cause

The partial loss of engine power during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.

Full Narrative

On May 4, 2017, about 1400 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502B, N144HF, was destroyed by a post-crash fire following a partial loss of engine power after takeoff from the Bar-T Airport (2F4), near Tahoka, Texas. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. The aircraft registered to Wilmington Trust Company, Wilmington, Delaware, and operated by Plains Aerial Applications, Olton, Texas, under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the vicinity and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from 2F4, Tahoka, Texas, and its intended destination was to a local field to apply chemicals. The pilot reported that he had flown several aerial application flights in the morning and the airplane was operating normally. Prior to the final flight of the day, while the airplane was being loaded with chemicals, he heard a noise, but all engine gauges appeared to indicate that everything was normal. He taxied down runway 35, applied power, and took off. The engine gauges indicated turbine inlet temperature of 8,000° and propeller RPM 2,200. About 30 feet above the ground, the airplane plane started making a noise and the engine was surging. The pilot attempted to add more power, but the engine was not responding, and he tried to keep the airplane flying. Just as the pilot was going to dump the chemical load, the airplane veered to the left and hit the ground. After the pilot exited the airplane, a post-crash fire ensued. A witness at the airport saw the airplane takeoff and fly about 1/2 way down the runway. He stated that the airplane touched down on its left wheel and became airborne again. He saw the airplane past the departure end of the runway and it was losing altitude. He then saw the left wing tilting down and the airplane impacted the ground. Detailed examination of the engine was not possible due to the severe fire damage. No additional information on the accident was available.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 CDT
Nearest AirportT-Bar Airport (1nm N)
Runway35
Runway Length3278 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAir Tractor AT 502 Undesignat
Tail NumberN144HF
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorPlains Aerial Applications
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6-A-34AG · Turboprop · 650
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 57 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind20° @ 13 kt, gusting 23 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 34 C
Altimeter30.21 inHg
Observation Time18:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data