Investigator In Charge (IIC): Nepomuceno, Eleazar
The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Spokane, Washington
Gemtrek LLC
Location: Lind, Washington
Accident Number: WPR22FA239
Date and Time: July 2, 2022, 17:33 Local
Registration: N602GH
Aircraft: AIR TRACTOR INC AT-602
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 137: Agricultural
On July 2, 2022, about 1733 Pacific daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-602, N602GH, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Lind, Washington. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137, aerial application flight.
According to a witness, about 1717, the pilot departed the hangar after refueling and re-loading the airplane’s hopper for an aerial application flight. Fifteen minute later, while maneuvering at a low altitude, the airplane impacted a dirt field about 4 nautical miles from the hangar at an elevation of 1,323 ft mean sea level. The wreckage debris path was about 200 ft long and oriented on a magnetic heading of 155 °. The airplane came to rest on a magnetic heading of 060°.
The first point of impact (FPI) was identified with impressions in the ground consistent with the left tire, followed by the left wing, and lower fuselage of the airplane. The FPI contained the left landing gear and fragmented pieces of fiberglass and fuselage. Ground scars and damage to the airplane were consistent with the airplane impacting terrain in a flat, shallow, left-wing low attitude. Fuel odor, consistent with Jet A, was present throughout the debris path. All major components of the airplane were located within the debris field.
The airplane and engine were recovered to a secure facility for further examination.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: AIR TRACTOR INC
Registration: N602GH
Model/Series: AT-602
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built:
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Agricultural aircraft (137)
Operator Designator Code:
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: VMC
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KMWH,1169 ft msl
Observation Time: 16:52 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 25 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 30°C /3°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 7 knots / , 240°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.74 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Warden, WA
Destination: Lind, WA
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 46.9588,-118.8206 (est)
Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation may contact them by email witness@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov. You can also call the NTSB Response Operations Center at 844-373-9922 or 202-314-6290.
Aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances in a field.
Date: 02-JUL-22
Time: 22:33:00Z
Regis#: N602GH
Aircraft Make: AIR TRACTOR
Aircraft Model: AT602
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: FATAL
Total Fatal: 1
Flight Crew: 1 Fatal
Pax: 0
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: SUBSTANTIAL
Activity: AERIAL APPLICATION
Flight Phase: MANEUVERING (MNV)
Operation: 137
City: LIND
State: WASHINGTON
Gavin Barry Morse
September 29, 1983 - July 2, 2022
~
Rural Adams County, Washington - Gavin Barry Morse, 38, of rural Adams County, Washington took his final flight July 2, 2022. Gavin was born September 29, 1983 in Spokane, WA as the youngest of four children and only son to Bruce Morse and Maribeth Benson.
Gavin grew up in the Spokane area and came to the Columbia Basin as a student in the Big Bend Community College Aviation program. It was during his time at Big Bend that Gavin met the love of his life, and partner in all things, Erin Wolf, while dirt biking in the Beezley Hills. Gavin and Erin were married October 8, 2005 in Quincy, Washington, where they resided for many years while Gavin was employed at Royal Flying Service, in Royal City, WA.
Gavin's lifelong passion was aviation. From a young age he was interested in airplanes and dreamed of being a pilot. Gavin worked tirelessly to make his dreams come true, and on July 7, 2007 he flew his first paid flight as an agricultural pilot. Gavin and Erin relocated to Connell, WA when he was presented with the opportunity to work for B&R Aerial Crop Care, and it was in Connell they grew their family with the addition of daughter, Magdalene. The Morse family briefly moved to Oakesdale, WA to work at Fender Flying service for the growing season, where they welcomed daughter, Adlai. In the fall of 2015, they moved to their current home and place of business in rural Adams County to pursue their dream of owning their own aerial application service, and GEM Air, Inc. was born.
Gavin had a servant's heart. In his 20s, he served as a volunteer firefighter at Grant County Fire District 3 in Quincy, Washington and in recent years he volunteered his time, equipment, and skills to fight fires aerially in the surrounding towns and farmland. He was passionate about and a champion for the ag aviation industry. He served as the President of the Association of Washington Aerial Applicators and as the WA state Representative for the National Association of Aerial Applicators Board of Directors. In those roles he was very involved in advocacy for the Ag aviation industry and his influence was crucial in the outcome of legislation such as the Notification Bill, Application Over Forest Land Bill, and the Low-Level Aviation Safety Law.
While Gavin's favorite place was the sky, he also loved adventuring with his family- camping, boating, riding dirt bikes, and traveling. He was known for the saltwater aquariums he nurtured over the years, his love of fancy cheese and hot sauce, and all things space and astronomy related, but most of all he was known for the way he loved to connect with people. Gavin was passionate, charismatic, and always had a twinkle in his eye. He had a way of always making people feel valued, included, and seen. Gavin liked to encourage others to dream big, work hard, and love what they do, just as he did. Gavin was a devout Christian, and his love of the Lord was apparent to all who knew him. He shared that deep faith with his wife and daughters, and they take comfort in knowing he is in the arms of his Savior.
Gavin is survived by his wife, Erin (Wolf) Morse, and daughters Magdalene and Adlai.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday July 16, 2022 at 2:00 pm in the GEM Air Hangar located at 898 W. Lind-Warden Rd Warden, WA 98857.
Gavin Barry Morse
~
A 38-year-old pilot died Saturday in a plane crash just outside of Lind, Washington.
The Adams County Sheriff’s Office has identified the pilot as Lind resident Gavin Barry Morse, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Just before 6 p.m. on Saturday, the sheriff’s office received reports of a plane that went down in a field north of the 300 block of West Lind-Warden Road, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office. Sheriff’s deputies, the Lind Fire Department and emergency medical services responded.
The Federal Aviation Administration will be investigating the incident in conjunction with the sheriff’s office.
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