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April 21, 2020 · Air Tractor AT 602 No Series · N419TW

El Campo, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 21, 2020
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
El Campo, TX
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT 602 No Series (2014)
Tail Number
N419TW
Operator
Tradewind Ag
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN20CA158

The pilot was landing at a remote agricultural airstrip for the first time. While on the final approach to land to the south and just before touchdown, the pilot saw a ground spray rig maneuver toward the airstrip. The airplane touched down uneventfully. The pilot added that the ground spray rig then "pulled out on me, not thinking it could be on the road that went around the end of the airstrip." The pilot incorrectly judged that the ground spray rig was crossing the runway and incorrectly believed that a runway incursion might occur. The pilot applied full power, but due to the turbine engine's lag in accelerating, the pilot realized that he was "not going to have enough time" to perform a go-around. The pilot reduced the power and attempted to stop the airplane before he ran out of available runway. The airplane impacted a perimeter fence and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, the right aileron, and the engine mount. The operator reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's misjudgment of a ground spray rig’s position and his incorrect belief that a runway incursion might occur, which resulted in the pilot attempting and then aborting a go-around, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with a fence.

Full Narrative

The pilot was landing at the remote agricultural airstrip for the first time. While on the final approach to land to the south, just before touchdown, the pilot observed a ground spray rig maneuver toward the turf runway. The airplane touched down uneventfully to the dry grass and during the landing roll, the pilot reported that the ground spray rig, "pulled out on me, not thinking it could be on the road that went around the end of the airstrip." The pilot incorrectly judged, from his elevated position sitting in the tailwheel airplane, that the ground spray rig was crossing the runway, and thought a runway incursion was occurring. The pilot applied full power and with the turbine engine acceleration lag condition, the pilot then realized that he was, "not going to have enough time" to perform a go-around. The pilot reduced the power and attempted to stop the airplane before he ran out of available runway. The airplane impacted a metal perimeter fence and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, the right aileron, and the engine mount. The operator reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:15 CDT
Nearest AirportPrivate Agricultural Airstrip (0nm S)
Runway18
Runway Length2580 ft
Runway Width110 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAir Tractor AT 602 No Series
Tail NumberN419TW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorTradewind Ag
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney Canada · PT6A-60AG · Turboprop · 1050
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 55 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind110° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2100 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data