Air Tractor AT 502B N636LA

Summary

On 11 July 2014 at about 13:15 local time, a Air Tractor AT 502B registered N636LA, operated by Hinkle Aviation, was involved in an accident near Cavalier, North 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

11 July 2014 at 13:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Cavalier, North Dakota, United States

Nearest airport

Private strip (X)

Coordinates

48.7778, -97.6717

Aircraft

Air Tractor AT 502B

Registration

N636LA

Category

Airplane

Year built

2001

Engines

1

Operator

Hinkle Aviation

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Cavalier → Cavalier

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN14CA366

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's loss of control during the takeoff roll.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane was departing a rough, unimproved turf strip for an aerial application flight. During the takeoff, the airplane hit a small turf obstruction and the airplane became airborne prematurely. The airplane settled and the tailwheel collided hard with the ground followed by the main landing gear. The pilot lost control of the airplane as it porpoised and swerved to the right. He was unable to regain control of the airplane before it ground looped and the wing contact the ground. Substantial damage was sustained to the left wing. No preimpact anomalies were detected with the airplane.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.