24 May 2014: AIR TRACTOR INC AT 802A A — Hunter Flying Service

24 May 2014: AIR TRACTOR INC AT 802A A — Hunter Flying Service

No fatalities • Hunter, AR, United States

Probable cause

The pilot's downwind takeoff from a grass airstrip, which resulted in inadequate climb performance and the subsequent impact with terrain.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

The pilot reported the agriculture airplane was loaded with about 5,000 pounds of fertilizer and ¾ tank of fuel; he planned to depart a private grass airstrip which was about 2,600 feet long. The pilot departed the runway to the north, and the airplane's landing gear impacted a levee at the end of the runway. Once the landing gear impacted the levee, the airplane would not gain altitude and the pilot conducted a forced landing in an adjacent field. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the fuselage during the landing. The pilot reported there were no preimpact abnormalities with the airplane and added that a gust of wind or whirlwind caused the airplane not to climb. About the time of the accident, the temperature was 87 degrees F with a southern wind about 5-10 knots. It's likely the downwind departure degraded the loaded airplane's takeoff performance.

Contributing factors

  • cause Pilot
  • cause Pilot
  • cause Capability exceeded
  • Effect on operation
  • Effect on operation
  • Contributed to outcome

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 160/05kt, vis 10sm

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