Loss of Control in Flight: Air Tractor AT-502B, N42190; accident occurred June 29, 2020 in South Bay, Palm Beach County, Florida

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Miramar, Florida  

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket

Aerial Crop Protection Inc

https://registry.faa.gov/N42190

Location: South Bay, Florida 

Accident Number: ERA20CA231

Date & Time: June 29, 2020, 11:30 Local

Registration: N42190

Aircraft: Air Tractor AT502 

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Defining Event: Loss of control in flight 

Injuries: 1 None

Flight Conducted Under: Part 137: Agricultural

Analysis

The pilot was performing an aerial application flight, and after distributing dry fertilizer he entered a downwind approach to land on a dirt road next to the field he was spraying. During a 180° turn to line up with the road, the airplane entered an aerodynamic stall. He added power, levelled the wings, deployed the flaps, and recovered from the stall; however, the airplane was too low and its landing gear struck sugar cane in the field. The airplane subsequently impacted the ground, and the fuselage and empennage were substantially damaged. The operator reported there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The pilot's loss of airplane control during the approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with vegetation and terrain.

Findings

Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot

Aircraft Angle of attack - Not attained/maintained

Aircraft Airspeed - Not attained/maintained

Factual Information

History of Flight

Uncontrolled descent Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Approach Loss of control in flight (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial 

Age: 57, Male

Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land 

Seat Occupied: Center

Other Aircraft Rating(s): None 

Restraint Used: 4-point

Instrument Rating(s): None

Second Pilot Present: No

Instructor Rating(s): None 

Toxicology Performed: No

Medical Certification: Class 2 With waivers/limitations 

Last FAA Medical Exam: June 9, 2020

Occupational Pilot: Yes

Last Flight Review or Equivalent: May 24, 2020

Flight Time: 3106 hours (Total, all aircraft), 1639 hours (Total, this make and model), 3013 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 211 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 72 hours (Last 30 days, all

aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Air Tractor

Registration: N42190

Model/Series: AT502 B 

Aircraft Category: Airplane

Year of Manufacture: 2010

Amateur Built: No

Airworthiness Certificate: Restricted (Special)

Serial Number: 502B-2705

Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel 

Seats: 1

Date/Type of Last Inspection: April 21, 2020 100 hour 

Certified Max Gross Wt.: 9400 lbs

Time Since Last Inspection: 146 Hrs 

Engines: 1 Turbo prop

Airframe Total Time: 4374 Hrs at time of accident

Engine Manufacturer: Pratt Whitney

ELT: Not installed

Engine Model/Series: PT6-34

Registered Owner: 

Rated Power: 750 Horsepower

Operator: On file

Operating Certificate(s) Held: Agricultural aircraft (137)

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)

Condition of Light: Day

Observation Facility, Elevation: BCT,16 ft msl

Distance from Accident Site: 25 Nautical Miles

Observation Time: 11:47 Local

Direction from Accident Site: 105°

Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 2400 ft AGL 

Visibility 9 miles

Lowest Ceiling: 

Visibility (RVR):

Wind Speed/Gusts: 8 knots / 

Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:  /

Wind Direction: 120° 

Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:  /

Altimeter Setting: 30.06 inches Hg 

Temperature/Dew Point: 33°C / 25°C

Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation

Departure Point: Belle Glade, FL (X10) 

Type of Flight Plan Filed: None

Destination: Belle Glade, FL (X10)

Type of Clearance: None

Departure Time:

Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: Belle Glade State Muni X10

Runway Surface Type: Gravel

Airport Elevation: 14 ft msl

Runway Surface Condition: Dry; Rough

Runway Used: 

IFR Approach: None

Runway Length/Width:

VFR Approach/Landing: Traffic pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Passenger Injuries:

Aircraft Fire: None

Ground Injuries: N/A

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 1 None

Latitude, Longitude: 26.472778,-80.556945(est)