On 7 Mar 2012, an AIR TRACTOR INC AT-502B was involved in an aviation accident near Hollandale, MS. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while taxiing in gusty wind conditions. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
While back-taxiing for takeoff, an agricultural airplane encountered a gust of left quartering tailwind, resulting in loss of directional control and a runway excursion. The subsequent tail wheel assembly failure caused structural damage to the longerons.
Incident Details
The pilot of a tail wheel-equipped agricultural application airplane was back-taxiing along the runway in preparation for takeoff. During this maneuver, he reported encountering a gust of left quartering tailwind. The pilot stated that he was unable to maintain directional control, and the airplane veered left, departing the left side of the runway.
Damage and Failure
After the airplane left the runway, the tail wheel block attaching bolts failed. The tail wheel spring then impacted the ground, bringing the airplane's lateral rotation to a stop. The impact sheared all four longerons located just forward of the vertical stabilizer. The tail wheel assembly consisted of a spring attached to the fuselage via a block secured by the bolts that failed.
Mechanical Status
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.
Contributing factors
PilotDirectional control — Not attained/maintainedEffect on operation