Air Tractor Inc AT-502B N502WF accident near Goodland, Kansas

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during the landing and go-around with variable wind direction and speed.

NTSB analysis

The pilot stated that during the landing flare the airplane suddenly pitched up and climbed about 25 feet. She reported that after she re-stabilized, the nose of the airplane suddenly yawed 15-20° to the right. She corrected the nose back to align with the runway centerline and the nose suddenly yawed 15-20° to the left. She attempted to go around by adding engine power, but the airplane yawed about 90° to the right, impacted the ground and slid across the grass resulting in substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that she believed a dust devil may have been the cause of the airplane upset. According to a Surface Analysis chart, a surface wind trough was observed near the accident site around the time of the accident.

The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operations.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN25LA314 for the full record.