Summary
On April 27, 2008, a Air Tractor AT-502 (N1519U) was involved in an incident near Waitsburg, WA. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain while maneuvering at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the rising terrain.
After arriving at the steep hillside field to which he was going to apply chemicals, the pilot maneuvered at low level over the field in an attempt to determine the best pattern to fly to accomplish the job. During that process he inadvertently allowed himself to get in a position from which the airplane was not able to climb over the rising terrain. Although he dumped his chemical load and leveled the airplane's wings, the airplane impacted the terrain about 75 feet below the top of a ridge.
This incident is documented in NTSB report SEA08CA113. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N1519U.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain while maneuvering at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the rising terrain.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
After arriving at the steep hillside field to which he was going to apply chemicals, the pilot maneuvered at low level over the field in an attempt to determine the best pattern to fly to accomplish the job. During that process he inadvertently allowed himself to get in a position from which the airplane was not able to climb over the rising terrain. Although he dumped his chemical load and leveled the airplane's wings, the airplane impacted the terrain about 75 feet below the top of a ridge.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# SEA08CA113