Aerodynamic Stall / Spin: Air Tractor AT-602, N602SS; accident occurred September 07, 2019 in Turkey, Hall County, Texas

View of inverted airplane in field. 

Federal Aviation Administration

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Lubbock, Texas

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

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

https://registry.faa.gov/N602SS

Location: TURKEY, TX
Accident Number: GAA19CA535
Date & Time: 09/07/2019, 1930 CDT
Registration: N602SS
Aircraft: Air Tractor AT 602
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Aerodynamic stall/spin
Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

The pilot reported, that while maneuvering at a low altitude in an aerial applicator airplane, he dumped about 350 gallons of pink water for a gender reveal. The airplane "got too slow", aerodynamically stalled, impacted terrain, and came to rest inverted.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, right wing, and empennage.

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

The Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that the accident occurred during a low pass for a gender reveal celebration. He added that there were two persons on board the single seat airplane.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 49, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied:Single 
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Airplane Single-engine; Instrument Airplane
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 06/28/2019
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 01/17/2019
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 14000 hours (Total, all aircraft), 8000 hours (Total, this make and model), 150 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Air Tractor
Registration: N602SS
Model/Series: AT 602 No Series
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2012
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Restricted
Serial Number: 602-1222
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 1
Date/Type of Last Inspection:  Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 12500 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Turbo Prop
Airframe Total Time: 2000 Hours
Engine Manufacturer: P&W Canada
ELT: Installed
Engine Model/Series: PT6A-65AG
Registered Owner: Horan Spraying Llc
Rated Power:
Operator: Horan Spraying Llc
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: KCDS, 1951 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 30 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 0053 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 87°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 7 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 170°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.9 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 32°C / 14°C 
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point:
Type of Flight Plan Filed: Unknown
Destination:
Type of Clearance: Unknown
Departure Time:
Type of Airspace: Class G

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 34.400000, -100.887222 (est)