Pond Creek, OK, USA
N60819
Air Tractor AT-502B
The 19,368-hour pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, the airplane failed to become airborne from a 2,860-foot asphalt and gravel airstrip. He pulled the emergency hopper dump lever and dumped the liquid fertilizer load. The airplane lifted off the runway, stalled, and dragged the right wingtip on the ground. Subsequently, the airplane exited the departure end of the runway and impacted a 5-foot fence pole with the right wing. The airplane came to rest approximately 150 feet from the departure end of the runway in an upright position when a fire consumed the airplane.
On April 28, 2003, at 1100 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502B tailwheel-equipped agricultural airplane, N60819, was destroyed during takeoff following a loss of control at the Homestead Farms Airport (O66) near Pond Creek, Oklahoma. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered to the Homestead Leasing Corporation and was being operated by Homestead Farms Flying Inc., both of Pond Creek. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The 19,368-hour pilot reported to the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, that the airplane "was not becoming airborne, and he pulled the emergency hopper dump lever and dumped the load of liquid fertilizer." After releasing the load, the airplane managed to become airborne; however, the airplane stalled and the right wingtip dragged on the ground. Subsequently, the airplane exited the departure end of the 2,860-foot asphalt and gravel runway and impacted a 5-foot fence pole with the right wing. The airplane came to rest approximately 150 feet from the departure end of the runway in an upright position where a fire engulfed the airplane. The pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that the airplane "failed to obtain flying speeds and stalled on lift off." Under the Recommendation (How Could This Accident Have Been Prevented) section of the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated that he could have "dumped [the fertilizer load] sooner." The FAA inspector reported that the center section of the fuselage was consumed by fire, the tail section was separated from the fuselage, the outboard 4-feet of the right wing was sheered off, and the left wing was bent. The propeller was found separated from the engine.
The pilot's failure to attain adequate airspeed during liftoff resulting in a stall.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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