Air Tractor AT-502 N7314C

Summary

On 1 July 1996 at about 17:05 local time, a Air Tractor AT-502 registered N7314C was involved in an accident near Almyra, Arkansas, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

1 July 1996 at 17:05

Classification

Accident

Location

Almyra, Arkansas, United States

Coordinates

34.4008, -91.4108

Aircraft

Air Tractor AT-502

Registration

N7314C

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Not Reported

NTSB number

FTW96LA286

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. A factor was the pilot's excessive use of flaps during the maneuver.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that during the turn around maneuver, he extended full flaps [26 degrees] and the 'flaps remained fully extended thus jamming [the flight] controls.' Manufacturer personnel stated that 5 to 8 degrees of flaps may be used as a turning aid. Flight control continuity was confirmed. The wing flap actuator components and microswitches were intact, were not deformed, and tested functional as designed. The actuator jackscrew was extended 3 1/2 inches (flaps 26 degrees). Push rod clearance at full flaps and full aileron is a minimum of .257 inch. An actuator jackscrew extension of 4 1/16 inches is required before the actuator assembly malfunctions. An extension beyond 4 inches (flaps 34.5 degrees) places the flap push rod and the aileron push rod in contact; however, the controls continue to be movable. Multiple flap actuator assembly malfunctions are required to jam the flight controls.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.