Runway excursion Accident Air Tractor AT-502B N5128U,
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ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 147567
 
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Date:Wednesday 1 August 2012
Time:14:30
Type:Silhouette image of generic AT5T model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different    
Air Tractor AT-502B
Owner/operator:Delta Dusters LLC
Registration: N5128U
MSN: 502B-0477
Year of manufacture:1998
Total airframe hrs:7554 hours
Engine model:P&W PT6-34AG
Fatalities:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Aircraft damage: Substantial
Category:Accident
Location:Kifer Airport (LS83), Newellton, LA -   United States of America
Phase: Take off
Nature:Agricultural
Departure airport:Newellton, LA (LS83)
Destination airport:Newellton, LA (LS83)
Investigating agency: NTSB
Confidence Rating: Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Narrative:
The pilot reported that, during the takeoff, the airplane’s tail rose when the airplane was about halfway down the runway, but the airplane did not get airborne. The airplane exited the end of the 2,750-foot-long, 75-feet-wide, asphalt runway; struck a road embankment; and continued rolling about 600 feet into a cotton field, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and empennage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The examination of the airplane’s electric flap actuator jackscrew revealed that it was extended out about 2.5 inches, which indicates that the flaps were set at 20 degrees at the time of the accident.
The pilot reported that the operating weight at the time of the accident was 10,283 lbs and that the airplane’s maximum gross weight was 10,480 lbs; however, the airplane flight manual specified a maximum certificated takeoff weight of 8,000 lbs. Regulations and guidance related to agricultural application flights in restricted-category airplanes allowed for operations at weights up to 31 percent above the certificated gross takeoff weight, or 10,480 lbs; however, the airplane manufacturer did not authorize takeoffs with flaps extended more than 10 degrees. Performance data indicated that, at a maximum certificated gross weight of 8,000 lbs with 10 degrees of flaps, a takeoff distance on a hard surface runway of about 2,800 feet was required. The airplane flight manual did not contain takeoff data for weights or flap settings more than 8,000 lbs and 10 degrees, respectively; however, a 2,750-foot-long runway was inadequate.

Probable Cause: The pilot's inadequate takeoff planning and his use of an improper flap setting, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with terrain during takeoff.

Accident investigation:
cover
  
Investigating agency: NTSB
Report number: CEN12LA500
Status: Investigation completed
Duration: 1 year and 12 months
Download report: Final report

Sources:

NTSB
FAA register: https://www.ntsb.gov/aviationquery/brief.aspx?ev_id=20120802X90114&key=1
http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N5128U

Location

Revision history:

Date/timeContributorUpdates
10-Aug-2012 09:32 Geno Added
21-Dec-2016 19:28 ASN Update Bot Updated [Time, Damage, Category, Investigating agency]
28-Nov-2017 13:16 ASN Update Bot Updated [Other fatalities, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative]

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