N830DA

On August 9, 2022, about 1709 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-802A, N830DA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident on Lake Livingston, near Onalaska, Texas. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial firefighting flight.

According to the pilot, he was flying as part of a formation of three firefighting airplanes that had been dispatched to a fire between Groveton and Corrigan, Texas. After 7 water “scooping” iterations, the flight of three refueled, then returned to the lake to “scoop” more water. The pilots noted that the wind had changed and estimated the wind to be at least 20 knots. The lake looked rougher than before, but they agreed it looked workable.

The accident pilot stated that the approach and touchdown were normal, but the water was “very choppy.” The pilot decided to abort the water scooping run early because of the lake’s rough surface conditions. He raised the scoops while trying to keep the nose of the airplane straight. He described the airplane at this point as being solidly on the water and not transitioning. He continued to add power and rudder when the nose of the airplane veered uncontrollably and spun almost 180° around its vertical axis. The floats separated from the airplane and the right wing was substantially damaged. The airplane came to a stop in an upright position, the pilot egressed, swam away from it, and was rescued by a civilian boat.

The airplane was recovered from the lake and examined. The examination revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies. No evidence was found to suggest that the airplane impacted an object in the lake.

According to data downloaded from the airplane’s Electronics International MVP-50T electronic engine display, at 1709:02 the propeller rpm began to decrease from 1,660 rpm. At 17:09:05, the propeller rpm was at zero and over the course of the next five seconds, the airplane heading changed from 170° to 323° (about 30° per second).

The reported weather conditions at Conroe/North Houston Regional Airport (CXO), Conroe, Texas, around the time of the accident included wind from 120° at 10 knots with gusts to 20 knots. The TAF for the airport predicted thunderstorms in the vicinity around the time of the accident.