NTSB Factual Report

On March 2, 2005, about 0645 Central standard time, a turbine-powered Air Tractor AT-602 airplane, N5006V, sustained substantial damage when it collided with trees during takeoff from a private airstrip, about 23 miles northeast of Panama City, Florida. The airplane was being operated by Gentry's Flying Service, LLC., Jones, Alabama, as a 14 CFR Part 137, aerial application flight when the accident occurred. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and company flight following procedures were in effect.

According to the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1) submitted by the operator, the accident flight was the pilot's first flight of the day. The operator noted that there was "heavy frost on the aircraft" prior to departure. The airplane was loaded with 3,500 pounds of fertilizer. According to the operator's written statement, during the takeoff run on the rough and uneven airstrip, the airplane's main wheels struck a bump that bounced the airplane into the air. Once the airplane was airborne, it rolled left, and the left wing struck the ground. The operator wrote, in part: "At this point, the aircraft was trying to gain altitude, but stalled and went into the trees under full power..." The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The operator reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to remove frost from the airplane which resulted in an inadvertent stall/mush during the takeoff/initial climb, and an in-flight collision with trees. Contributing to the accident were the rough and uneven airstrip, and degraded aircraft performance due to frost on the wing.