On September 21, 1996, an Air Tractor 402 (registration N1517G) was involved in an aviation accident near Mayersville, MS. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's misjudgment of his ground speed and distance to trees during the swath run, and his delayed pull-up at the end of the swath run, which resulted in his failure to remain clear of the trees. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An agricultural aircraft collided with trees adjacent to a treated field at the end of a spray run, reportedly flown with a tailwind in a densely wooded area.
What happened
The accident occurred during an agricultural spraying operation. At the conclusion of a swath run, the airplane impacted trees situated in a densely wooded area immediately adjacent to the field that was being treated.
According to information provided by the pilot's partner, the flight was conducted with a tailwind component of approximately eight knots. The field being sprayed measured between one-half and three-quarters of a mile in length.
The investigation
The aircraft manufacturer provided technical context regarding standard operating procedures for this specific type of turbine-powered airplane. They noted that typical spray runs for such aircraft are generally conducted at airspeeds ranging from 150 to 170 knots.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 21 Sept 1996 Air Tractor 402 accident near Mayersville, MS?
An agricultural aircraft collided with trees adjacent to a treated field at the end of a spray run, reportedly flown with a tailwind in a densely wooded area.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 21 Sept 1996 involved an Air Tractor 402, registration N1517G, at Mayersville, MS.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
the pilot's misjudgment of his ground speed and distance to trees during the swath run, and his delayed pull-up at the end of the swath run, which resulted in his failure to remain clear of the trees. The tail wind and location of the trees were related factors.
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