AIR TRACTOR INC AT 401
Wall, SD — June 9, 2015
Event Information
| Date | June 9, 2015 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA15CA117 |
| Event ID | 20150611X25026 |
| Location | Wall, SD |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 44.10667, -102.34805 |
| Airport | Private Airstrip |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | AIR TRACTOR INC |
| Model | AT 401 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 137 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Probable Cause
The pilot's failure to adjust the airplane's useful load to compensate for the high temperature, which resulted in an insufficient climb rate to clear surrounding terrain, and a runway excursion.
Full Narrative
The pilot reported that during takeoff from a private grass airstrip, the airplane would not climb above terrain at the end of the runway and impacted the ground coming to rest in a wheat field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, right aileron, and fuselage.
The pilot reported the outside air temperature at the time of the accident was 91 degrees Fahrenheit and the airplane was loaded near its maximum gross takeoff weight of 6,000 pounds. The pilot stated, "The load was too heavy for the weather conditions at this time."
The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.