N970FA

Substantial
None

Air Tractor AT-504S/N: 504-4028

Accident Details

Date
Saturday, February 8, 2020
NTSB Number
CEN20CA079
Location
Fort Morgan, CO
Event ID
20200210X23531
Coordinates
40.335556, -103.804168
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing, and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in the left main landing gear tire bursting and the tailwheel assembly failing.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N970FA
Make
AIR TRACTOR
Serial Number
504-4028
Year Built
2015
Model / ICAO
AT-504

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
CO FIRE AVIATION INC
Address
23101 HIGHWAY 52
Status
Deregistered
City
FORT MORGAN
State / Zip Code
CO 80701-9401
Country
United States

Analysis

Both pilot's onboard the airplane reported that the purpose of the flight was to familiarize the pilot in the left seat with the airplane, of which he was appropriately rated yet had never flown. According to the pilot on the controls in the left seat, the tailwheel-equipped airplane bounced during landing on the asphalt runway. During the landing roll, the airplane veered to the left and he overcorrected to the right, followed by an overcorrection to the left. He applied heavy braking and the airplane turned 120° to the right and exited the right side of the runway. The left main landing gear tire deflated, and the wheel dug into the dirt surface. The airplane bounced, and the tailwheel-assembly failed and dug into the soft surface.

The airplane sustained damage to the aft fuselage and the empennage.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN20CA079