Air Tractor Inc AT-602 N602AA accident near Plains, Kansas

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain control during takeoff from a water-contaminated runway.

NTSB analysis

Prior to flight, the pilot noted that rain had made the turf airstrip too wet to conduct aerial application flights. The middle of the airstrip had standing water, but the edges of the runway had fewer areas of water. The pilot took off at a reduced weight, without an aerial load, to fly to another location. During the takeoff, the airplane contacted the water on the runway, and the pilot lost control. The airplane subsequently veered off the runway resulting in the wing’s spray booms getting entangled in high weeds. The airplane spun and came to rest. Substantial damage was sustained to the left wing and empennage.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN23LA321 for the full record.