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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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NTSB Report

June 22, 2017 · Air Tractor AT 502 B · N700LA

Portales, NM

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 22, 2017
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Portales, NM
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT 502 B (2004)
Tail Number
N700LA
Operator
King Ag Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
GAA17CA360

The pilot reported that, during an agricultural application flight and while maneuvering at the destination field in a left turn, he realized that the airplane was not going to be able to climb over transmission lines in his flightpath. He added that he lowered the nose to fly under the transmission lines, but the "airspeed was still too low," and the airplane impacted an embankment, slid across the ground for about 100 ft, and nosed over. The airplane was destroyed by the impact and a postcrash fire. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation station 10 nautical miles north of the accident reported, about 5 minutes before the accident, calm wind, temperature 102°F (39°C), dewpoint 43°F (6°C), and barometric setting of 29.77 inches of mercury. The calculated density altitude was 8,200 ft. According to the Federal Aviation Administration Koch Chart, considering the surrounding temperature and field elevation, the airplane would have likely experienced a 65% decrease in the normal climb rate.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's decision to fly the airplane under transmission lines while maneuvering at low altitude in high-density altitude conditions, which resulted in subsequent collision with terrain.

Full Narrative

The pilot reported that, during an aerial application flight while maneuvering at the destination field in a left turn, he realized that the airplane was not going to be able to climb over transmission lines in his flight path. He added that he lowered the nose to fly under the transmission lines, but the "airspeed was still too low" and the airplane impacted an embankment, slid across the ground for about 100 ft., and nosed over. The airplane was destroyed by the impact and a post-crash fire. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation station, 10 nautical miles north of the accident, about 5 minutes before the accident, reported the wind as calm, temperature 102°F (39°C), dewpoint 43°F (6°C), and barometric setting of 29.77" Hg. The calculated density altitude was 8,200 ft. According to the Federal Aviation Administration Koch Chart, when considering the surrounding temperature and field elevation, the airplane would have likely experienced a 65% decrease in the normal climb rate.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAir Tractor AT 502 B
Tail NumberN700LA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorKing Ag Aviation
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W Canada · PT6A-34AG · Turboprop · 750
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 32 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point10 C / 43 C
Altimeter29.77 inHg
Observation Time21:58
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data