Sunday, December 05, 2021

Low Altitude Operation/Event: Air Tractor AT-602, N602RE; accident occurred July 06, 2021 in Nappanee, Indiana




Aviation Accident Final 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; Grand Rapids, Michigan

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

Deby Ag Leasing LP


Location: Nappanee, Indiana 
Accident Number: CEN21LA318
Date and Time: July 6, 2021, 19:54 Local 
Registration: N602RE
Aircraft: AIR TRACTOR INC AT-602 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Low altitude operation/event
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 137: Agricultural

Analysis

The pilot stated that while spraying for mosquitos, the airplane’s right wing struck an unmarked tower. The pilot flew the airplane back to the departure airport, during which the right wing stalled when the airplane slowed for landing. The airplane then ground looped. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing skin during the in-flight collision with the tower. The pilot stated that there was no mechanical malfunction/failure 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 failure to maintain clearance from the tower during low-level agricultural operations.

Findings

Personnel issues Identification/recognition - Flight crew
Personnel issues Monitoring environment - Pilot
Aircraft Altitude - Not attained/maintained
Environmental issues Tower/antenna (incl guy wires) - Awareness of condition

Factual Information

History of Flight

Maneuvering-low-alt flying Low altitude operation/event (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial 
Age: 42, 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:
Medical Certification: Class 2 Without waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: February 24, 2021
Occupational Pilot: Yes 
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: April 11, 2021
Flight Time: 11428 hours (Total, all aircraft), 606 hours (Total, this make and model)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: AIR TRACTOR INC 
Registration: N602RE
Model/Series: AT-602
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2011 
Amateur Built:
Airworthiness Certificate: Restricted (Special) 
Serial Number: 602-1200
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 1
Date/Type of Last Inspection: January 14, 2021 Annual 
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 12500 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 
Engines: 1
Airframe Total Time: 2927 Hrs as of last inspection 
Engine Manufacturer:
ELT: Not installed 
Engine Model/Series:
Registered Owner:
Rated Power:
Operator: 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Agricultural aircraft (137)

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC) 
Condition of Light: Dusk
Observation Facility, Elevation: SBN,798 ft msl 
Distance from Accident Site: 10 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 19:54 Local 
Direction from Accident Site: 360°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 7 knots / 
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:  /
Wind Direction: 230° 
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:  /
Altimeter Setting: 29.99 inches Hg 
Temperature/Dew Point: 28°C / 20°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Wakarusa, IN (II74) 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Wakarusa, IN (II74)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time:
Type of Airspace: Class G

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: 41.4427,85.9941(est)

2 comments:

  1. This man was kept safe from harm because he was doing the Lord's work.

    ReplyDelete
  2. A 100,000 damage to a needed airplane and a stain on the pilot record is not harm??. How stupid religion fanatics are.

    ReplyDelete