N120CP

Substantial
Minor

Air Tractor AT-402AS/N: 402A-1115

Accident Details

Date
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
NTSB Number
DFW07CA114
Location
Edmonson, TX
Event ID
20070530X00665
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the crops.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N120CP
Make
AIR TRACTOR
Serial Number
402A-1115
Engine Type
Turbo-shaft
Year Built
1999
Model / ICAO
AT-402AF402
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
CENTRAL PLAINS SPRAYING INC
Address
PO BOX 368
Status
Deregistered
City
HART
State / Zip Code
TX 79043-0368
Country
United States

Analysis

The 16,000-hour commercial pilot allowed the turbine powered agricultural airplane to get too low over the wheat field he was spraying. The landing gear or the airplane became entangled in the wheat crop and the airplane decelerated abruptly. The airplane nose-over and came to rest in the inverted position. There was no fire and the pilot was able to egress from the airplane unassisted. The pilot stated on the NTSB Form 6120.1 (Pilot/Operator Accident/Incident Report) that he allowed the aircraft to get too low and was unable to recover. An on scene investigation performed by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector determined that there was no mechanical problems. The pilot confirmed the same finding. The airplane sustained structural damage to the fuselage and wings. Weather at the time of the mishap was reported as wind from 110 degrees at 5 knots, visibility of 10 statute miles, temperature 12 degrees Celsius, dew point 8 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 30.37 inches of Mercury.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# DFW07CA114