Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane.
NTSB analysis
The pilot said he was landing at the airstrip to refill the hopper with chemical. The airplane went off the side of the runway and ground looped. The left main landing gear was torn off, the left wing tip was scraped, and the left aileron was bent. The pilot reported no control malfunction or other anomalies with the airplane prior to the accident. According the repair facility spokesman, there was no way of determining if the the landing gear had been bent previously or if there was a discrepancy with the toe-in.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for DEN08CA136 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 9, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Dexter, New Mexico
- Nearest airport
- Richie Crockett Airstrip (NONE)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Air Tractor AT-402
- N-number
- N4555Y
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 137 (agricultural)
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial application
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.