N8587SAir Tractor AT-301 · 1978

On July 7, 2009, about 1300 eastern daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301, N8587S, operated by Ag-Flight Inc., was substantially damaged during impact with terrain near Brinson, Georgia. The certificated private pilot was killed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight originated from Decatur County Industrial Air Park (BGE), Bainbridge, Georgia, about 1250.

According to the pilot's flight instructor, and two ground personnel that fueled the airplane, the pilot was progressing with his aerial application training. The pilot initially departed, practiced steep turns, and practice flight at minimum controllable airspeed. The pilot then returned to BGE and completed five supervised takeoffs and landings. The airplane was subsequently fueled and 50 to 100 gallons of water was also added. The pilot departed again, completed the same maneuvers, dropped the water, and returned to BGE. Approximately 100 to 200 gallons of water was then added and the pilot departed again. He completed the same maneuvers, dropped the water, and returned to BGE. The airplane was refueled again and 200 gallons (or more) of water was added. The pilot departed again to review the same maneuvers; however, no further contact was made with the airplane.

A witness, who lived in the vicinity of the accident site, reported seeing the accident airplane flying about 700 feet above the ground. The airplane flew straight-and-level, traveling from north to south. The airplane then made a left U-turn and flew from south to north. The airplane made another left turn, toward west, and started climbing. The witness then observed a large stream of water coming from the airplane, which looked like smoke. Immediately after the water was observed, the airplane began a fast spiral, straight down to the ground, with the water following. The witness further stated that he heard "real loud" continuous engine noise throughout the accident sequence.

The witness's wife recalled similar events; however, she did not recall seeing the water until after the airplane began to spiral downward.

The pilot's flight instructor stated that there was a designated site for students to drop water, located about 3/4 mile south of the flight school. The procedure to drop water was for the students to return to the airport area after practicing maneuvers at the higher weight, slow the airplane to 100 knots (with reduction in power, not by using flaps), fly over the field near treetop level, drop the water, then land at the airport. The pilot's flight instructor added that the accident site was about 5 miles west of the airport, and there would be no reason for the pilot to drop water at that location, unless he was having some sort of problem.

The airplane came to rest nose down, in a peanut field. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the wreckage at the accident site, and again after it was recovered to a hangar. Additionally, an independent mechanic subsequently examined the wreckage. None of the three examinations revealed evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. The accident site was examined by the FAA inspector and an Environmental Protection Agency employee revealed only two small areas of fuel spill, near where the engine came to rest. The vegetation in the area surrounding the airplane remained undamaged.

The elevator control system was intact and control continuity was confirmed from the control stick in the cockpit, to the control rod in the aft fuselage, to the elevator horn, and then to the elevator. Continuity was also confirmed from the rudder pedals to the rudder. Right aileron control continuity was confirmed the aileron to a control rod break at the wing root, to the control stick in the cockpit. Left aileron control continuity was confirmed from the aileron to the control stick in the cockpit. Elevator trim control was found in the full forward (nose down) position and continuity was confirmed from the cockpit to the elevator trim tab.

One propeller blade remained attached to the engine, and exhibited s-bending, chordwise scratching, and leading edge gouging. The other propeller blade had separated near the hub, and exhibited twisting, tip-curling, leading edge gouging, and chordwise scratching. The throttle and mixture controls were found in the idle/cutoff position. The propeller control lever was mid-range. Movement of all three levers revealed that the associated control rods and cables moved. The wing flaps were found in the extended position. The spark plugs were removed from the engine and no anomalies were noted. Due to impact damage, the engine crankshaft could only be move through approximately 60 degrees of rotation. When the crankshaft was rotated via the propeller, all pistons and the magneto drives actuated. When the pressure and return fuel lines were removed from the carburetor, fuel was observed in both lines.

The single-seat, low-wing, fixed-gear airplane, serial number 301-0153, was manufactured in 1978. It was powered by a Pratt & Whitney R1340, 600-horsepower radial engine. The airplane's most recent 100-hour inspection was completed on June 3, 2009, at a total airframe time of 9,004 hours. The airplane accumulated an additional 20 hours of operation, from the time of the last inspection, until the accident. At the time of the inspection, the engine had accumulated 650 hours of operation since major overhaul.

The pilot, age 31, held a private pilot certificate, with a rating for airplane single-engine land, which he obtained on May 31, 2009. His most recent FAA second-class medical certificate was issued on April 27, 2009. The pilot's application for the most recent airman medical certificate indicated “No” to “Do You Currently Use Any Medication” and “substance abuse or use of illegal substance in the last 2 years.” Review of the pilot's logbook revealed that he had accumulated a total flight experience of approximately 239 hours. According to the pilot's flight instructor, the pilot had not flown the make and model accident airplane prior to the day of the accident. During the day of the accident, the pilot accumulated about 2 hours of experience in the accident airplane before the mishap. The pilot's flight instructor further stated that the pilot previously performed three water drops in a Piper Pawnee, which was equipped with a 235-horsepower engine and held 100 gallons of water. The accident airplane was equipped with a 600-horsepower engine and held 200 gallons of water.

The pilot's flight instructor also stated that during a water drop in either airplane, the control stick must be pushed aggressively forward, near the stop, to counteract the pitching up moment of the airplane. The pitch up is not due to a change in center of gravity, but rather a reduction in weight for the given lift generated. He added that the Air Tractor would pitch up more aggressively than the Pawnee, due to the higher weight.

An autopsy was performed on the pilot by the State of Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Forensic Sciences Division, on July 9, 2009. The autopsy report noted the cause of death as "traumatic injuries due to a plane crash."

Toxicological testing was performed on the pilot by the FAA Bioaeronautical Science Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The testing revealed:

"0.023 (ug/mL, ug/g) OXYCODONE detected in Urine

OXYCODONE NOT detected in Blood

0.0212 (ug/ml, ug/g) TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL (MARIHUANA) detected in Lung

TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL (MARIHUANA) NOT detected in Blood

0.0566 (ug/ml, ug/g) TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL CARBOXYLIC ACID (MARIHUANA)

detected in Urine

0.0056 (ug/ml, ug/g) TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL CARBOXYLIC ACID (MARIHUANA)

detected in Blood

TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL CARBOXYLIC ACID (MARIHUANA) detected in Lung"

The recorded weather at BGE, at 1257, was: wind from 260 degrees at 6 knots; visibility 10 miles; scattered clouds at 2,300 feet; scattered clouds at 2,900 feet; scattered clouds at 3,400 feet; temperature 28 degrees Celsius; dew point 23 degrees Celsius; altimeter 29.89 inches of mercury.