N502AJ

Substantial
Minor

AIR TRACTOR AT502S/N: 5020054

Accident Details

Date
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
NTSB Number
ERA09CA428
Location
Dundee, MS
Event ID
20090730X73703
Coordinates
34.684444, -90.341941
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 aircraft control during takeoff.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N502AJ
Make
AIR TRACTOR
Serial Number
5020054
Engine Type
Turbo-shaft
Year Built
1989
Model / ICAO
AT502AT5T
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
TUNICA AIR INC
Address
PO BOX 2310
Status
Deregistered
City
TUNICA
State / Zip Code
MS 38676-2310
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot was departing to the north, from a private concrete airstrip, for the purpose of conducting an agricultural application flight. The airplane was loaded with 400 gallons of fungicide, and contained 110 gallons of fuel on board. Shortly after becoming airborne, the airplane began to settle back toward the runway. The pilot attempted to dump the fungicide; however, the airplane settled into a soybean field and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage, fuselage, wings, and engine firewall. The pilot stated that he did not experience any mechanical malfunctions and examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any anomalies. The nearest weather reporting station, located approximately 12 miles north of the accident site, reported winds from 170 degrees at 6 knots, and a temperature of 27 degrees Celsius, about the time of the accident.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA09CA428