Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional during landing on a wet grass runway.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that after the completion of an aerial application flight, during the landing roll on a wet grass runway, the airplane slid off the left side of the runway, where the left wing subsequently impacted corn stalks, which "further drug the aircraft into the corn and ditch." The fuselage, wings, and empennage sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA20CA253 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 15, 2020
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Washington, North Carolina
- Nearest airport
- Whitfield'S East (23NR)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Air Tractor AT502
- N-number
- N2038Q
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2013
- 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.