Accident Overview
On August 9, 2008, at approximately 1045 mountain daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-402, registration N4555Y, experienced a ground loop and collided with terrain while landing at Richie Crockett Airstrip, a private airstrip in Dexter, New Mexico. The aircraft was substantially damaged in the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight was being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 137 as an aerial application operation without a flight plan.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft was registered to and operated by Summers Spraying Service. The pilot, who held a commercial pilot certificate, was not injured in the accident. The local flight had originated from Dexter approximately 1000, and the pilot was landing to refill the chemical hopper.
Accident Sequence and Damage
According to the pilot, during landing, the airplane departed the side of the runway and ground looped. The left main landing gear was torn off, the left wing tip was scraped, and the left aileron was bent. The pilot reported that there were no control malfunctions or other anomalies with the aircraft prior to the accident. The NTSB did not receive the pilot's report form (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), but information gathered at the time of the accident provides the basis for this account.
Investigation
A repair facility contacted for information indicated that due to the extent of the damage, it was not possible to determine whether the landing gear had been bent prior to the accident or if there was a discrepancy with the toe-in settings. No other factors were identified.