Air Tractor AT-502 N4515V

Summary

On 1 July 2005 at about 10:30 local time, a Air Tractor AT-502 registered N4515V, operated by Southeastern Aerial Crop Service Inc, was involved in an accident near Fort Pierce, Florida, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

1 July 2005 at 10:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Fort Pierce, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Southeastern Airport (FD30)

Coordinates

27.4114, -80.5261

Aircraft

Air Tractor AT-502

Registration

N4515V

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Southeastern Aerial Crop Service Inc

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Fort Pierce → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA05LA127

1 person had minor injuries.

The failure of the pilot to abort the takeoff after a reported loss of engine power during the takeoff roll, resulting in the in-flight collision with a fence and trees. A factor in the accident was the failure of the pilot to lower the flaps to 10 degrees as specified in the airplane flight manual.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The accident flight was the first flight of the day; the pilot was attempting to depart with full fuel tanks and the hopper containing approximately 425 gallons of chemical. After the engine was started the pilot cycled the propeller control one time, and taxied to the approach end of the runway. He reportedly lowered 1 notch of flaps, and applied power noting the maximum torque achieved was 1,650 foot-pounds. The upper torque limit for the airplane/engine combination was 1,795 foot-pounds. During the takeoff roll he noted the airplane was "dragging a little bit", and noticed the torque decreased to 1,600 foot-pounds. The flight continued and he reportedly attempted to dump the load in the hopper but was unable to move the handle. He continued the takeoff and the airplane became airborne, settled onto a road, and collided with trees in an orange grove past the departure end of the runway. Another pilot for the operator reported that when the airplane went past his position which was approximately 100 feet before the departure end of the runway, he did not recall seeing any flaps extended. According to the operator, postaccident the hopper dump valve tested satisfactory, and the flap actuator was measured and found to indicate between 0 and 10 degrees of flaps extended. The airplane flight manual indicates that with the flight conditions experienced, the flaps should be extended 10 degrees. Examination of the engine and engine components at the engine manufacturer's facility revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.