Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Air Tractor AT-402B, N80060: Accident occurred October 11, 2017 in Brawley, Imperial County, California

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; San Diego, California

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf 

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

http://registry.faa.gov/N80060

Location: Brawley, CA
Accident Number: GAA18CA010
Date & Time: 10/11/2017, 1600 PDT
Registration: N80060
Aircraft: AIR TRACTOR INC AT 402B
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under:  Part 137: Agricultural 

Analysis 

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing roll in crosswind conditions, a wind gust abruptly lifted the right wing. The pilot attempted to correct with control inputs but was unsuccessful. The airplane continued to veer to the left and came to a stop in a canal.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The automated weather observation system about 13 nautical miles from the accident site reported that, about 7 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 160° at 4 knots. The pilot reported that he landed to the east. 

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusting crosswind conditions.

Findings

Aircraft
Directional control - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)

Environmental issues
Crosswind - Effect on operation
Gusts - Effect on operation

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing-landing roll
Other weather encounter
Attempted remediation/recovery

Landing
Loss of control on ground (Defining event)
Runway excursion

The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing roll in crosswind conditions, a gust of wind abruptly lifted the right wing. The pilot attempted to correct with control inputs but was unsuccessful. The airplane continued to veer to the left and came to a stop in a canal.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The automated weather observation system about 13 nautical miles from the accident site reported that, about 7 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 160° at 4 knots. The pilot reported that he landed to the east.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial
Age: 45, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Single
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 11/12/2016
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 04/07/2017
Flight Time:   (Estimated) 4100 hours (Total, all aircraft), 300 hours (Total, this make and model), 3800 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 270 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 50 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: AIR TRACTOR INC
Registration: N80060
Model/Series: AT 402B B
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2017
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Restricted
Serial Number: 402B-1355
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 1
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 08/04/2017, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 7000 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Turbo Prop
Airframe Total Time:  190.4 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Pratt & Whitney
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series: PT6-34AG
Registered Owner: BANK OF UTAH TRUSTEE
Rated Power: hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Agricultural Aircraft (137) 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KIPL, -58 ft msl
Observation Time: 2253 UTC
Distance from Accident Site:  13 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 235°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 12000 ft agl
Temperature/Dew Point: 34°C / 1°C
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility:  10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 4 knots, 160°
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 29.73 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration:  No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point:  Brawley, CA (NA)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination:  Brawley, CA (NA)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1555 PDT
Type of Airspace: Class G 

Airport Information

Airport:  Private Strip (NA)
Runway Surface Type: Dirt
Airport Elevation: -127 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 09
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:  2400 ft / 120 ft
VFR Approach/Landing:  Full Stop; Straight-in 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude:  32.960278, -115.366944 (est)

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