Air Tractor AT 502B N421CA

Summary

On 26 July 2017 at about 20:30 local time, a Air Tractor AT 502B registered N421CA, operated by Custom Air Inc, was involved in an accident near Harrold, South Dakota, United States. 2 people were on board. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 July 2017 at 20:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Harrold, South Dakota, United States

Coordinates

44.5150, -99.7697

Aircraft

Air Tractor AT 502B

Registration

N421CA

Category

Airplane

Year built

2009

Operator

Custom Air Inc

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Harrold → Harrold

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN17CA294

Injuries not recorded.

The pilot’s improper attempt at a low-pass maneuver, which resulted in a collision with a tractor.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of an agricultural airplane reported that he planned to apply an herbicide and test the spray system at maximum pressure at a specified airspeed. He added that a ground tractor was also in the field applying the same chemical. During the flight, he saw the tractor and passed over it between about 50 and 100 ft above ground level (agl). While spraying at 10 ft agl, he noted pressure, output, airspeed, and ground speed. At the end of the field, he climbed and made a left, 180° turn for another pass. The pilot reported that he "lost focus" outside of the airplane while looking at the spray results, and when he noticed the tractor, it was too late; the airplane's wheel collided with the tractor. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the fuselage. The tractor driver reported that he heard someone call him on the radio and that he answered the pilot on the radio and saw the airplane coming "directly at him, very low." The tractor driver heard and felt the impact and was knocked from his seat by the collision. The tractor driver then called his supervisor for help. The tractor driver added that his supervisor and another ground sprayer had been "buzzed" by the pilot before.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.