Air Tractor AT-502 N45461

Summary

On 24 June 1997 at about 21:30 local time, a Air Tractor AT-502 registered N45461, operated by Tunica Air Service, Inc., was involved in an accident near Tunica, Mississippi, 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

24 June 1997 at 21:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Tunica, Mississippi, United States

Nearest airport

Dubbs

Coordinates

34.6802, -90.3805

Aircraft

Air Tractor AT-502

Registration

N45461

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Tunica Air Service, Inc.

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA97LA195

Nobody was injured.

The pilots poor preflight planning preparation for attempting to takeoff with a tailwind and with the hopper loaded 3/4 full during a 93degree F., day at a density altitude of 2,400 feet.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was attempting to takeoff with the airconditioner on and with a 5 knot tailwind on a 93 degree F., day. He applied takeoff power and reported normal power and acceleration for the temperature and wind conditions. At rotation, the airplane became airborne momentarily then touched down in a bean field. The airplane then bounced and he initiated dumping of the load of chemical but the airplane descended into the field. He stated to an FAA inspector that the airplane was probably over loaded for the existing wind and temperature conditions and there was no engine failure or malfunction.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.