Summary
On March 11, 2019, a Air Tractor AT 400A (N400DQ) was involved in an incident near Parma, ID. 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 directional control during landing in variable wind conditions, which resulted in the right wing impacting muddy terrain.
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the landing roll, the tail "lifted back up" due to a "wind gust", the airplane veered left, spun, exited the runway and the right wing impacted the muddy terrain.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The pilot reported the wind was light and variable at 5 knots.
An automated weather observation station, located about 15 nautical miles from the accident site, about 30 minutes prior to the accident, reported the wind was from 150° at 4 knots and about 30 minutes after the accident, reported the wind was from 120° at 5 knots.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA19CA163. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N400DQ.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing in variable wind conditions, which resulted in the right wing impacting muddy terrain.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the landing roll, the tail "lifted back up" due to a "wind gust", the airplane veered left, spun, exited the runway and the right wing impacted the muddy terrain.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The pilot reported the wind was light and variable at 5 knots.
An automated weather observation station, located about 15 nautical miles from the accident site, about 30 minutes prior to the accident, reported the wind was from 150° at 4 knots and about 30 minutes after the accident, reported the wind was from 120° at 5 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 30.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA19CA163