Tuesday, February 02, 2021

Loss of Control in Flight: Air Tractor AT-502B, N5092J; accident occurred June 08, 2020 near Hiawatha Municipal Airport (K87), Brown County, Kansas








Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Wichita, Kansas

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

Floyd's Flying Service LLC


Location: Hiawatha, KS
Accident Number: CEN20CA221
Date & Time: 06/08/2020, 1525 CDT
Registration: N5092J
Aircraft:Air Tractor AT502 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 137: Agricultural

Prior to the aerial application flight, the airplane was loaded with about 3,400 pounds (lbs) of dry fertilizer and contained about 140 gallons of fuel. The pilot's estimated weight at the time of the accident was 9,000 lbs, with a maximum gross weight of 9,400 lbs. The pilot reported the temperature was about 95° F, the wind was from 150° about 6 knots, and runway 35 was rough with tall grass. The calculated density altitude was about 3,900 ft. During the takeoff, the pilot attempted to takeoff; however, "the aircraft was not ready to fly." The airplane impacted a field about 500 ft north of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the forward fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot's recommendation to prevent this accident was "carry lighter loads, less fuel on hot days."

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial
Age: 24, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied:Center
Other Aircraft Rating(s):None
Restraint Used:
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: 03/16/2020
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 02/25/2019
Flight Time:  1241 hours (Total, all aircraft), 122 hours (Total, this make and model), 1184 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 52 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 48 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Air Tractor
Registration: N5092J
Model/Series: AT502 B
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture:1997 
Amateur Built:No 
Airworthiness Certificate: Restricted
Serial Number: 502B-0438
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 1
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 04/12/2020, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 9400 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 53 Hours
Engines: 1 Turbo Prop
Airframe Total Time: 11028 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Pratt and Whitney
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series: PT6A-34AG
Registered Owner: Floyd's Flying Service Llc
Rated Power: 750 hp
Operator: MCELWAIN, FLOYD W
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: FNB, 984 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 12 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1553 CDT
Direction from Accident Site:360° 
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 6000 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 13 knots / 24 knots
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 170°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 29.7 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 32°C / 18°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Precipitation
Departure Point: Hiawatha, KS (K87)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Hiawatha, KS (K87)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 0325 CDT
Type of Airspace: Class E

Airport Information

Airport:Hiawatha Municipal Airport (K87) 
Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 1130 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 35
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3400 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: None

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: 39.882500, -95.518333 (est)

































AIRCRAFT:  
1997 AIR TRACTOR AT502B N5092J, s/n: 502B-0438                                 
Current Total Time 11027.8 hours,  Hobbs 1027.8 hours
Last Annual on 4-01-2020 @ 10,974.5 hours                         

ENGINE: 
Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34G,  s/n: PCE-PH067
Current Total Time 11027.8 hours
Last Hot Section Inspection on 12-10-2018 @  Eng. TT 10523.0 hours
Last Annual on 4-01-2020 @ 10,974.5 hours

PROPELLER:  
Hartzell BHC-B3TN-3/T10282N+4, s/n:  BUA30524
Installed 11-1-19 .  TSN 2806.3 hours, Hobbs 10,907.1 hours
Current Total Time 2873.7 hours
Last Annual on 4-01-2020 @ 10,974.5 hours

EQUIPMENT: 
Spreader (destroyed); no radios onboard

DESCRIPTION OF ACCIDENT:  
On June 8,2020 @ Hiawatha Municipal Airport (K87) in Hiawatha, Kansas, encountered heavy, downwind takeoff on a hot day with tall grass turf. Pilot remained in ground effect at the end of the runway, not gaining altitude and struck the ground with the main gear, went through a fence, struck two terraces and crashed the aircraft nose first into a newly planted soybean field.

Aircraft dismantled, including cutting of tubes and wires and structures and relocated to Dodson International in Rantoul, KS.

DESCRIPTION OF DAMAGE:   
Damage includes but may not be limited to: 
Propeller strike
Engine stoppage
Damage to the case, exhaust, accessories
Damaged firewall
Engine mount torn from aircraft
Breach of hopper
Sheared aircraft main gear
Damage to wheels, tires and brakes
Upper, lower and side cowlings and aft fuselage skins/panels
Spray equipment including fan, spreader, boom hangar, hoses
Wing root attach points right side
Sheared wire harnesses
Aircraft step broken weld to aircraft
Potentially twisted airframe
Additional damages incurred as a result of recovery and storage.

LOCATION OF AIRCRAFT:  
Dodson International Parts Inc, 2155 Vermont Road, Rantoul, Kansas  66079

REMARKS:   
Insurer reserves the right to reject any and all bids. 
Salvage is as is/where is. 
The posting information is the best to our knowledge. 
An inspection of the salvage is highly recommended. 

LOGS ARE NOT GUARANTEED TO BE ACCURATE OR COMPLETE

WARRANTY:  There is no warranty, express or implied for the information provided herein or the condition, useability, workability, operability or marketability of the aircraft salvage.  All times are approximate and the logbooks and aircraft should be inspected by each bidder BEFORE BIDDING.  Failure of the bidder to view the salvage or wreckage, or confirm any information provided is NOT grounds for a claim or withdrawal of bid after bid closing date.)  

HOURS estimated from logbooks or other information - not guaranteed or warranted.

Read more here: http://www.avclaims.com

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