Sat, Jun 27, 2020
'Airplane Flew Over The House Before Making A Climb Straight Up'
Location: Atmore, AL Accident Number: ERA20LA217
Date & Time: 06/16/2020, 0730 CDT Registration: N879JA
Aircraft: Air Tractor AT502 Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 137: Agricultural
On June 16, 2020, about 0730 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502B, N879JA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Atmore, Alabama. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight.
According to the pilot's spouse, he departed earlier on the morning of the accident to dispense two small "loads." On his return home he called and asked her to come outside of their residence to watch the airplane fly over. She said that the airplane flew over the house before making a climb straight up. The airplane then banked to the left, rolled right, descended straight down, and she heard a loud "boom" shortly thereafter.
Two witnesses that were fishing on a nearby lake saw the airplane flying below the tree line before it climbed straight up. They said the airplane rolled and descended straight down nose first. They heard a "loud thud" and then silence. The witnesses contacted emergency services and assisted local responders in finding the wreckage.
A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airframe prior to its recovery from the accident site, and noted that the nose, cockpit, and empennage area were crushed aft. Both wings displayed crush damage along their entire leading edges. The inspector confirmed flight control continuity from the elevator and rudder to the cockpit area. He also noted aileron cables extending from the cockpit area to their respective wing.
The engine and propeller were impact damaged and were recovered with the airframe for further examination.
More News
Instrument Runway A runway equipped with electronic and visual navigation aids for which a precision or nonprecision approach procedure having straight-in landing minimums has been>[...]
Aero Linx: Alaska Airmen's Association The Alaska Airmen's Association includes over 2,000 members—we are one of the largest General Aviation communities in the country. We s>[...]
Also: Flt School Security, G600 Steep-Approach, Honduran Aid, PW545D Cert Two aircraft performing at the Fort Lauderdale Air Show clipped wings during a routine last Sunday, spooki>[...]
Also: SkyReach Parts Support, Piper Service Ctr, Airliner Near-Miss, Airshow London The Judge overseeing Icon's convoluted Chapter 11 process has approved $9 million in Chapter 11 >[...]
Also: Paramotor Champ's, Electric Ultralight, ICON BK Update, Burt Rutan at Oshkosh! The Popular Rotorcraft Association is reaching out for help in rebuilding their private runway >[...]