Air Tractor AT401 N1019X

Summary

On 20 May 1996 at about 02:15 local time, a Air Tractor AT401 registered N1019X was involved in an accident near Letcher, South Dakota, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

20 May 1996 at 02:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Letcher, South Dakota, United States

Nearest airport

Mj Aviation Airstrip

Coordinates

43.8899, -98.1407

Aircraft

Air Tractor AT401

Registration

N1019X

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Ferry

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Mitchell

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

CHI96LA167

Nobody was injured.

the pilot's inadequate evaluation of the severe weather condition. A factor was the weather conditions.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that after landing, following an aerial application flight, he observed lightning to the northwest of the airstrip. Due to the approaching weather, the pilot decided to ferry the airplane to another airport where hangar facilities were available. During the takeoff roll to the south, a gust front from the approaching storm reached the field. The wind changed from calm to approximately 30 knots from the west. He attempted to continue the takeoff but 'was unable to attain flying speed and maintain directional control.' The airplane departed the east side of the runway and nosed over.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.