No fatalities

15 May 2017: AIR TRACTOR INC AT 802 A — Dumas, TX

Dumas, TX, United States

On 15 May 2017, an AIR TRACTOR INC AT 802 A was involved in an aviation accident near Dumas, TX. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control while maneuvering at a low altitude. 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

A pilot reported that while maneuvering at low altitude during an aerial application flight, a wind gust lifted the right wing, causing the left wing to strike wheat and the aircraft to be sucked into the crop, impacting the ground inverted.

Accident Details

A pilot was conducting an aerial application flight when the aircraft encountered a sudden wind gust during low-altitude maneuvering. The gust lifted the right wing, causing the left wing to descend and strike the wheat crop below. Subsequently, the airplane was "sucked" into the wheat, impacted the ground, and came to rest inverted.

Damage

The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings.

Pilot Report

The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Weather Conditions

An automated weather observation system located approximately 4 nautical miles from the accident site reported the wind at 160° at 13 knots around the time of the accident.

Contributing factors

Causes

PilotLateral/bank control — Not attained/maintained

Other contributing factors

Effect on operationContributed to outcome