On April 28, 2003, an Air Tractor AT-502B (registration N60819) operated by Homestead Farms Flying Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Pond Creek, OK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to attain adequate airspeed during liftoff resulting in a stall. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During takeoff roll on a 2,860-foot airstrip, a pilot dumped liquid fertilizer after the airplane failed to become airborne. The airplane then lifted off, stalled, struck a fence pole, and was consumed by fire.
Accident Details
The pilot, who had accumulated 19,368 flight hours, reported that during the takeoff roll on a 2,860-foot asphalt and gravel airstrip, the airplane failed to become airborne. In response, the pilot pulled the emergency hopper dump lever, releasing the liquid fertilizer load.
Sequence of Events
After dumping the load, the airplane lifted off the runway but subsequently stalled. During the stall, the right wingtip dragged along the ground. The airplane then exited the departure end of the runway and impacted a 5-foot fence pole with the right wing. The airplane came to rest approximately 150 feet from the departure end of the runway in an upright position, at which point a fire consumed the airplane.