Air Tractor AT-802A N189LA

Summary

On 27 August 2008 at about 21:01 local time, a Air Tractor AT-802A registered N189LA, operated by Minuteman Aerial Application Inc, was involved in an accident near Meeker, Colorado, 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

27 August 2008 at 21:01

Classification

Accident

Location

Meeker, Colorado, United States

Coordinates

40.0500, -107.8892

Aircraft

Air Tractor AT-802A

Registration

N189LA

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Minuteman Aerial Application Inc

Operating rule

Public Use

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Craig → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DFW08TA224

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's improper decision to continue an aerial application following an uncommanded opening of the cabin door in flight, and his subsequent failure to maintain control of the airplane.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While making a pass to drop fire retardant, the airplane's left cockpit access door opened when the airplane experienced an area of turbulence. Although the pilot was unable to close the door, he elected to attempt another pass to jettison his remaining retardant before returning back to the airport. During the pass the airplane departed controlled flight and impacted the ground in a right wing low attitude. The airplane came to a rest in an upright position and the pilot was able to exit the airplane unassisted. An examination of the airplane's door latch revealed no pre-impact anomalies.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.