NTSB CAROL · Event
Event CHI06CA254
Registry · N73006
FAA Aircraft Registry record.
Make / Model
AIR TRACTOR INC AT-400A
Year of manufacture
1985 · 21 years old at event
Engine
P&W PT6A SERIES (500 hp)
Seats / Engines
1 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19961216
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A9CD82
Registrant of record
WESTERN COOPERATIVE CO
Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).
Aircraft involved
Probable cause & findings
The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection which led to the aircraft tow bar not being removed prior to flight.
Factual narrative
The airplane was substantially damaged during takeoff when the tow bar that was not removed came off and struck the tail of the airplane. The pilot reported that during the pre-flight inspection, he noticed that the tow bar was still attached to the airplane. He stated that he was distracted by an employee during the pre-flight. The tow bar was not removed prior to the flight. The airplane was substantially damaged during takeoff when the tow bar came off and struck the tail of the airplane. The pilot reported that during the preflight inspection, he noticed that the tow bar was still attached to the airplane. He stated that he was distracted by an employee during the preflight. The tow bar was not removed prior to the flight. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12
Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file
NTSB_2006_CHI06CA254.txt.
Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb.
Full investigation docket on
data.ntsb.gov ↗.
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