Summary
On May 29, 2009, a Air Tractor Inc. AT-502 (N198LA) was involved in an accident near Mendota, IL. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and preparation and his failure to perform an aborted takeoff.
The agricultural airplane was loaded about 300 pounds over its maximum gross weight for a commercial aerial application flight. The pilot stated that the airplane had not become airborne after traveling 3/4 down runway 36 (2,800 feet by 80 feet, turf). At that point in the takeoff, the pilot attempted to lift off, but the airplane settled back onto the runway. The airplane then overran the runway and hit a hill after which the airplane became airborne and then impacted the ground with its right wing tip and left wing resulting in substantial damage. The pilot sustained minor injuries.
This accident is documented in NTSB report CEN09CA323. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N198LA.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and preparation and his failure to perform an aborted takeoff.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The agricultural airplane was loaded about 300 pounds over its maximum gross weight for a commercial aerial application flight. The pilot stated that the airplane had not become airborne after traveling 3/4 down runway 36 (2,800 feet by 80 feet, turf). At that point in the takeoff, the pilot attempted to lift off, but the airplane settled back onto the runway. The airplane then overran the runway and hit a hill after which the airplane became airborne and then impacted the ground with its right wing tip and left wing resulting in substantial damage. The pilot sustained minor injuries.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN09CA323