Air Tractor AT 502
De Land, IL — July 10, 2018
Event Information
| Date | July 10, 2018 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA18CA415 |
| Event ID | 20180711X44318 |
| Location | De Land, IL |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 40.10972, -88.68305 |
| Airport | FLYING ILLINI |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | Air Tractor |
| Model | AT 502 |
| 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 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for landing in crosswind conditions, which resulted in the airplane inadvertently becoming airborne and a subsequent hard landing and loss of directional control.
Full Narrative
The pilot reported that, after an aerial application flight, during the landing roll in a rain shower and with a crosswind, the tailwheel-equipped airplane hit a "bump" and became airborne. He added that the airplane was slow, drifted left, and touched down hard. Subsequently, the airplane exited the runway and ground looped.
The pilot added that, he should have possibly landed further down the runway to avoid the bumps that sent him back into the air.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage and left wing.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
An automated weather observation system located about 19 nautical miles from the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 260° at 12 knots. The pilot landed on runway 18.
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.