Incident Details
On August 27, 2008, at approximately 1501 mountain daylight time, a single turbo-prop powered Air Tractor AT-802A airplane, registration N189LA, was substantially damaged following a loss of control and impact with terrain near Meeker, Colorado. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, received minor injuries. The aircraft was registered to Minuteman Aerial Application Inc., of Missoula, Montana, and operated by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) under an exclusive public-use firefighting contract. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company flight plan was filed for the fire suppression flight. The local flight originated from the Craig-Moffat Airport (CAG) in Craig, Colorado, at 1429.
Sequence of Events
According to the pilot, while making a pass to drop fire retardant, the airplane's left cockpit access door opened when the airplane encountered an area of turbulence. Following a sequence of aerodynamic evaluations—including banks, slips, and skids—the pilot configured the airplane for an approach to landing stall. Once the airplane was in an incipient stall, he attempted to close the door but was unable to do so.
The pilot then elected to attempt another pass to jettison the remaining retardant before returning to the airport. During this pass, the airplane departed controlled flight and impacted the ground in a right-wing-low attitude. Flying debris from the impact struck and damaged a fire engine, narrowly missing five firefighters by approximately 152 feet. The airplane came to rest in an upright position, and the pilot was able to exit unassisted.
Aircraft Damage and Examination
An examination of the airplane's door latch revealed no pre-impact anomalies. Photographs provided to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge showed that the airplane's wings, engine, and left horizontal stabilizer had separated from the fuselage during the accident sequence.
Weather Conditions
At 1453, the weather observing system at Meeker, Colorado, located 21 nautical miles northwest of the accident site, reported wind from 300 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 26 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; clear skies; temperature 84 degrees Fahrenheit; dew point 30 degrees Fahrenheit; and a barometric pressure setting of 30.06 inches of mercury.