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| Date: | Wednesday 18 December 2024 |
| Time: | 16:30 |
| Type: |  Air Tractor AT-504 |
| Owner/operator: | Servicios Aeronauticos Airtech Limitada |
| Registration: | N8516V |
| MSN: | |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | near Big Cypress, FL -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Ferry/positioning |
| Departure airport: | Fort Worth-Bourland Fld Airport, TX (50F) |
| Fort Lauderdale-Executive Airport, FL (FXE/KFXE) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Information verified through data from accident investigation authorities |
On December 18, 2024, about 1630 eastern standard time, an Air Tractor AT504, N8516V, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Big Cypress, Florida. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 ferry flight.
The dealer for the airplane reported that the purpose of the flight was to ferry the new airplane to the new owners in Chile. The pilot reported that the flight from Texas to Florida was planned to take about 6 hours and 15 minutes and that the airplane was equipped with a ferry fuel system which provided 9 hours and 45 minutes of endurance. While descending from a cruise altitude of 15,500 ft mean sea level (msl), at about 9,000 ft msl the airplane suddenly and violently yawed to the left. The pilot applied right rudder, opposite aileron, and adjusted engine power to attempt to counteract the yaw, but was unsuccessful. He declared mayday with the Miami Air Route Traffic Control Center, who was providing flight following, and continued the left turning descent. The airplane subsequently impacted trees and the ground before coming to a stop upright in a marshy area.
Postaccident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector found substantial damage to the wings and engine mount. Photographs showed the rudder deflected to the left and the FAA inspector reported that it would not move when pressure was applied.
The airplane was retained for further examination.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB
https://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/N8516V/history/20241218/1424Z/50F/L%2026.33217%20-81.03469
https://scontent.famm8-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/468041665_1062467272350248_6680326531831164991_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=127cfc&_nc_ohc=9pBg4QRZGFkQ7kNvgHa02bj&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.famm8-1.fna&_nc_gid=A70a6R1NX5GoGVnIAtspbnD&oh=00_AYDa4LeTHwilSXwW2v7XbUc9U3yLsdxybY9jwJ9sT9VF6g&oe=677E01BD (photo)
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 21-Dec-2024 10:02 | ASN | Added |
| 22-Dec-2024 09:59 | nhofmann54 | Updated [Operator, ] |
| 24-Dec-2024 13:44 | ASN | Updated [Cn, ] |
| 02-Jan-2025 15:40 | AgOps | Updated [Aircraft type, Cn, Damage, Narrative, ] |
| 02-Jan-2025 15:43 | ASN | Updated [Operator, Source, ] |
| 02-Jan-2025 15:44 | ASN | Updated [Narrative, ] |
| 03-Jan-2025 19:22 | Captain Adam | Updated [Time, Cn, Operator, Location, Destination airport, Source, Damage, Narrative, Category, Accident report, ] |
| 04-Jan-2025 06:34 | AgOps | Updated [Cn, ] |
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