Air Tractor AT602 N528JC

Summary

On 12 July 2024 at about 19:00 local time, a Air Tractor AT602 registered N528JC, operated by Farm Air, Inc., was involved in an accident near Decatur, Illinois, 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

12 July 2024 at 19:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Decatur, Illinois, United States

Nearest airport

Decatur (DEC)

Coordinates

39.8355, -88.8736

Aircraft

Air Tractor AT602

Registration

N528JC

Category

Airplane

Year built

1999

Engines

1

Operator

Farm Air, Inc.

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Positioning

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Summum → Decatur

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN24LA261

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s inability to maintain directional control during the landing roll due to the malfunction of the tail wheel locking mechanism.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the tailwheel became unlocked on landing. The airplane drifted to the left, exited the runway, and ground looped which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. A post-accident examination revealed that the tailwheel lock pin was not engaged, although the cockpit handle was in the locked position. The cable was continuous from the cockpit handle to the locking mechanism, however, multiple attempts to move the tailwheel locking pin by manipulating the handle were unsuccessful. The pin became unstuck when it was assisted into position using a striking tool. Subsequent attempts to lock the tailwheel from the cockpit were successful and the mechanism functioned normally.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.