N5120E

Substantial
None

AIR TRACTOR AT-402BS/N: 402B-1052

Accident Details

Date
Saturday, June 19, 2010
NTSB Number
CEN10CA343
Location
Virden, IL
Event ID
20100625X11319
Coordinates
39.515556, -89.870277
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's decision to take off from a wet grass runway at an airplane weight and density altitude that precluded a normal takeoff and climb.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
AIR TRACTOR
Serial Number
402B-1052
Engine Type
Turbo-prop
Year Built
1998
Model / ICAO
AT-402BF402
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
2
FAA Model
AT-402B

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
C & L HOLZWARTH INC
Address
PO BOX 407
City
VIRDEN
State / Zip Code
IL 62690-0407
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot of the aerial application flight attempted a takeoff on runway 27 (2640 feet by 100 feet, turf) during which the airplane hit a bump 2/3 down the runway, became airborne, and then descended into a corn field. The airplane impacted the cornfield upright and sideways resulting in a deformed fuselage and substantial damage. The pilot stated in his recommendation not to takeoff at a heavy weight on a wet runway. The density altitude at the time of the accdient was approximately 2,854 feet mean sea level.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN10CA343