Accident Summary
On July 20, 2013, at 0945 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502, registration N502MH, operated by Woodley Aerial Spray Inc., sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain after takeoff from Sneek Airport (2IL0) in Shannon, Illinois. The airline transport pilot was not injured. The flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 without a flight plan. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported completing three uneventful aerial application flights earlier that morning in the accident airplane. After lifting off on the accident flight, the airplane encountered a sudden gust and was unable to maintain a climb outside of ground effect. It descended from an altitude of 10-12 feet above the ground into the corn crop located off the end of runway 18 (2,640 by 125 feet, turf). During the impact sequence, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the aft fuselage and wings were substantially damaged. The airplane came to rest upright, and the pilot extracted himself uninjured. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Weather Details
The nearest aviation weather reporting station, Albertus Airport (KFEP) in Freeport, Illinois, located about 6.5 miles northeast of the accident site, reported at 0935: wind 320 degrees true at 3 knots, visibility 10 miles, sky clear, temperature 26°C, dew point 19°C, altimeter setting 29.95 inches of mercury. A postaccident meteorological review of available wind data indicated that calm wind conditions prevailed throughout the morning; however, at 0935, the wind was from the northwest at 3 knots.
Aircraft Damage
The aircraft, an Air Tractor AT-502 (N502MH), was substantially damaged. Specific damage included collapsed right main landing gear, and substantial damage to the aft fuselage and wings.