On 30 Jul 2018, an Air Tractor AT502 B operated by Delta Pilot, LLC was involved in an aviation accident near Louise, MS. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing and a subsequent loss of directional control. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A tailwheel airplane experienced a hard touchdown, bounced, veered left, and ground looped into a field, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing and separation of the right landing gear.
Incident Details
During the fourth landing on a rural runway, the pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that the aircraft touched down hard, bounced, and veered to the left. The pilot attempted to correct the deviation by applying opposite rudder, but the airplane continued left into a field containing crops approximately 5 feet tall. The airplane subsequently ground looped to the left, during which the right wing impacted the ground and the right landing gear separated.
Damage Assessment
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The right landing gear was separated from the aircraft as a result of the ground loop.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Contributing factors
Landing flare — Not attained/maintainedDirectional control — Not attained/maintainedPilot