Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary GAA19CA010

Crowley, LA, USA

Aircraft #1

N1500E

Air Tractor AT 402

Analysis

The pilot reported that he did not want to take off from the wet grass airstrip he normally used, so he decided to take off from an asphalt road that paralleled the grass on the left side of the airstrip. During the takeoff roll, the left wing collided with tall vegetation, and the airplane veered left and exited the road. The airplane subsequently impacted a drainage culvert. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Factual Information

The pilot reported that he did not want to take off from the wet grass airstrip he normally used so he decided to takeoff from the asphalt road that parallels the grass on the left side of the airstrip. During the takeoff roll, the left wing collided with tall vegetation and the airplane veered left and exited the road. The airplane subsequently impacted a drainage culvert. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, which resulted in a collision with vegetation and a subsequent loss of directional control.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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