Summary
On July 11, 2014, a Air Tractor INC AT 502B (N636LA) was involved in an incident near Cavalier, ND. 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 loss of control during the takeoff roll.
The airplane was departing a rough, unimproved turf strip for an aerial application flight. During the takeoff, the airplane hit a small turf obstruction and became airborne prematurely. The airplane settled and the tail wheel collided hard with the ground followed by the main landing gear. The pilot lost control of the airplane as it porpoised and swerved to the right. He was unable to regain control of the airplane before it ground looped and the wing contact the ground. Substantial damage was sustained to the left wing. No preimpact anomalies were detected with the airplane.
This incident is documented in NTSB report CEN14CA366. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N636LA.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's loss of control during the takeoff roll.
Aircraft Information
Analysis
The airplane was departing a rough, unimproved turf strip for an aerial application flight. During the takeoff, the airplane hit a small turf obstruction and became airborne prematurely. The airplane settled and the tail wheel collided hard with the ground followed by the main landing gear. The pilot lost control of the airplane as it porpoised and swerved to the right. He was unable to regain control of the airplane before it ground looped and the wing contact the ground. Substantial damage was sustained to the left wing. No preimpact anomalies were detected with the airplane.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN14CA366