Air Tractor AT 802 N915AJ

Summary

On 15 June 2017 at about 18:00 local time, a Air Tractor AT 802 registered N915AJ, operated by C&C Flying Service Inc., was involved in an accident near Pocahontas, Arkansas, 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

15 June 2017 at 18:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Pocahontas, Arkansas, United States

Coordinates

36.2217, -90.8347

Aircraft

Air Tractor AT 802

Registration

N915AJ

Category

Airplane

Year built

2014

Engines

1

Operator

C&C Flying Service Inc.

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Pocahontas → Pocahontas

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA17CA342

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain lateral/bank control during the initial climb in turbulent conditions.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The agricultural application pilot reported that, during the initial climb and as soon as the airplane "broke ground," he turned left and subsequently encountered turbulence that caused the left wing to "dip." He added that he applied full right aileron and rudder but that the airplane continued to sink and turn left. Subsequently, the left wing impacted terrain, the airplane cartwheeled, and a postcrash fire ensued. The fuselage, empennage, and both wings sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation station, 12 nautical miles south of the accident site, reported, about the time of the accident, calm wind, clear skies, temperature 84°F (29°C), and dew point 64°F (18°C).

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.