Air Tractor AT 402 accident near Somerton, Arizona, September 20, 2020
On September 20, 2020 at about 3:00 am local time, a 1990 Air Tractor AT 402, registered N45027, was destroyed in an accident during takeoff (rejected takeoff) near Somerton, Arizona (Tri-Rotor Ag Services airport). It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to use full power during takeoff and his delayed decision to abort the takeoff, which resulted in a runway overrun and subsequent impact with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 20, 2020 · about 3:00 am local time
- Place
- Somerton, Arizona · Tri-Rotor Ag Services · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Air Tractor AT 402 Undesignat, built 1990
- Registration
- N45027 · no longer on the register · serial 402-0746
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, prior to the accident flight, water and a neutralizing agent were added to the hopper tank for cleaning purposes. Several hours later, the pilot conducted a preflight inspection for a night flight. After fueling the airplane, the pilot taxied onto the 2,500 ft. dirt runway, not using the entire length of the runway as he was under the assumption that the hopper was empty. He slowly advanced the power lever to a partial power setting for takeoff. The pilot stated that around the half-way point on the runway, he noticed the airplane was not obtaining the speed needed for takeoff and applied full power. As the airplane was close to the departure end of the runway, the pilot aborted the takeoff and attempted to stop the airplane using the brakes. Subsequently, the airplane overran the departure end of the runway and impacted vegetation. A post-crash fire ensued which destroyed the airplane. The pilot further reported that, after the accident he discussed the events with the company manager and determined the hopper had not been drained of the water prior to the flight. The pilot said that he believed the hopper to be empty and did not apply full power for takeoff. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Runway excursion during takeoff (rejected takeoff) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff (rejected takeoff)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Powerplant parameters › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Delayed action › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,167.5 hours in all; 216.3 in this make and model; 295 in the last 90 days; 20.5 in the last 30 days; 1,040.9 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 26, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 15,219.7 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 19, 2020
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34AG (turboprop); 13,259 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: AZ25 Somerton AZ at 3:00 am
- Destination: AZ25 Somerton AZ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 26, 2,510 ft by 40 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 29.72 inHg
- Observation at 3:57 am from KNYL, 7 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on July 12, 2021. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Conversation (Pilot) | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Damage Photo | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.