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August 10, 2022 · Air Tractor AT502 · N73194

Appleton, MN

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 10, 2022
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Appleton, MN
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT502 (1988)
Tail Number
N73194
Operator
Schwenk Aircraft
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN22LA389

The pilot stated that he listened to the airport’s automated weather station broadcast before taxi and, at that time, the surface wind was from 080° at 8 knots. However, while he taxied to runway 13 the airport’s windsock direction was consistent with a surface wind from the north-to-northeast. Before takeoff, he relistened to the airport’s automated weather station broadcast, which still reported the surface wind was from 080° at 8 knots. Believing the automated weather station report was accurate, the pilot continued with a takeoff on runway 13. The pilot stated the takeoff was conducted with 10° of flaps extended but recalled that the takeoff roll was longer than normal. He kept the control stick full aft and to the left (into the wind) during the initial takeoff roll. After the airplane accelerated to 60 mph, he pushed the control stick forward to raise the tail, but the airplane suddenly veered left and off the left side of the runway into a drainage ditch. The pilot was unable to regain directional control with a full right rudder input. During the runway excursion, the right main landing gear separated which resulted in substantial damage to both wings when they impacted the ground. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with the airplane that would have prevented normal operation. The pilot believes a left quartering tailwind may have contributed to his loss of directional control during takeoff. He also opined that the surface wind direction reported by the airport’s automated weather station was incorrect, which led him to believe using runway 13 was appropriate for the reported wind direction. A review of the airport’s automated weather station data revealed the reported surface wind direction was 080°-090° in the minutes before and after the accident. A postaccident weather model for the airport included an east-northeast surface wind (061°) at 4.5 knots. Based on the pilot’s windsock observation, the unintentional left veer during the takeoff roll was likely due to the pilot not maintaining directional control with a left quartering tailwind.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained

Full Narrative

The pilot stated that he listened to the airport’s automated weather station broadcast before taxi and, at that time, the surface wind was from 080° at 8 knots. However, while he taxied to runway 13 the airport’s windsock direction was consistent with a surface wind from the north-to-northeast. Before takeoff, he relistened to the airport’s automated weather station broadcast, which still reported the surface wind was from 080° at 8 knots. Believing the automated weather station report was accurate, the pilot continued with a takeoff on runway 13. The pilot stated the takeoff was conducted with 10° of flaps extended but recalled that the takeoff roll was longer than normal. He kept the control stick full aft and to the left (into the wind) during the initial takeoff roll. After the airplane accelerated to 60 mph, he pushed the control stick forward to raise the tail, but the airplane suddenly veered left and off the left side of the runway into a drainage ditch. The pilot was unable to regain directional control with a full right rudder input. During the runway excursion, the right main landing gear separated which resulted in substantial damage to both wings when they impacted the ground. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with the airplane that would have prevented normal operation. The pilot believes a left quartering tailwind may have contributed to his loss of directional control during takeoff. He also opined that the surface wind direction reported by the airport’s automated weather station was incorrect, which led him to believe using runway 13 was appropriate for the reported wind direction. A review of the airport’s automated weather station data revealed the reported surface wind direction was 080°-090° in the minutes before and after the accident. A postaccident weather model for the airport included an east-northeast surface wind (061°) at 4.5 knots. Based on the pilot’s windsock observation, the unintentional left veer during the takeoff roll was likely due to the pilot not maintaining directional control with a left quartering tailwind.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:30 CDT
Nearest AirportAppleton Municipal Airport (0nm)
Runway13
Runway Length3500 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAir Tractor AT502
Tail NumberN73194
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSchwenk Aircraft
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney Canada · PT6A-15AG · Turboprop · 680
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 68 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind80° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter30.20 inHg
Observation Time09:33
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data