No fatalities

29 May 2009: AIR TRACTOR INC. AT-502 — R & R Flight Service — Mendota, IL

Mendota, IL, United States

On 29 May 2009, an AIR TRACTOR INC. AT-502 operated by R & R Flight Service was involved in an aviation accident near Mendota, IL. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and preparation and his failure to perform an aborted takeoff. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

An agricultural airplane, loaded about 300 pounds over maximum gross weight, overran a turf runway during takeoff, struck a hill, became airborne, then impacted terrain, resulting in substantial damage and minor pilot injuries.

Incident Overview

A commercial aerial application flight experienced a takeoff accident from a turf runway. The aircraft was loaded approximately 300 pounds above its maximum certified gross weight for the operation. According to the pilot, the airplane had not lifted off after traveling three-quarters of the length of Runway 36, which measures 2,800 feet long and 80 feet wide with a turf surface.

Sequence of Events

At that point during the takeoff roll, the pilot attempted to raise the aircraft off the ground. However, the airplane settled back onto the runway surface. Subsequently, the airplane overran the departure end of the runway and struck a hill. The impact with the hill caused the airplane to become airborne again before it ultimately impacted the ground with its right wing tip and left wing.

Damage and Injuries

The accident resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The specific type and registration of the aircraft, as well as the operator and exact date of the occurrence, were not provided in the source material.

Conditions and Circumstances

The takeoff was conducted under visual conditions on a turf runway. No information regarding wind, visibility, or other weather factors was supplied. The source did not indicate any involvement of air traffic control or mechanical malfunction prior to the event.

Contributing factors

PilotIncorrect use/operation