N602SS

Substantial
Minor

Air Tractor AT 602S/N: 602-1222

Accident Details

Date
Sunday, September 8, 2019
NTSB Number
GAA19CA535
Location
TURKEY, TX
Event ID
20190908X51027
Coordinates
34.400001, -100.887222
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during a low pass, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N602SS
Make
AIR TRACTOR
Serial Number
602-1222
Engine Type
Turbo-shaft
Year Built
2013
Model / ICAO
AT 602AT6T
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
HORAN SPRAYING LLC
Address
2641 E US HIGHWAY 70
Status
Deregistered
City
PLAINVIEW
State / Zip Code
TX 79072-0411
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot reported, that while maneuvering at a low altitude in an aerial applicator airplane, he dumped about 350 gallons of pink water for a gender reveal. The airplane "got too slow", aerodynamically stalled, impacted terrain, and came to rest inverted.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, right wing, and empennage.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that the accident occurred during a low pass for a gender reveal celebration. He added that there were two persons on board the single seat 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# GAA19CA535