Air Tractor AT-502B accident near Wheatley, AR

On May 15, 2008, an Air Tractor AT-502B (airplane) was involved in an accident near Wheatley, AR. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.

Date

May 15, 2008

Place

Wheatley, AR

Aircraft

Air Tractor AT-502B · Airplane

Injuries

1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor

Damage

Substantial

Position

34.910°N, 91.100°W

NTSB ID

20080521X00705

NTSB summary

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On May 14, 2008, approximately 1930 central daylight time, a single-engine, turbine powered, Air Tractor, AT502B airplane, N6112D, was substantially damaged upon impact with terrain following a loss of control while performing an aerial application flight near Wheatley, Arkansas. The commercially rated pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was registered and operated by Rice Ag Service, Inc. of Wynne, Arkansas, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 flight. A witness reported seeing the airplane make its spray runs and; “nothing [appeared] out of the ordinary.” The witness, who had his back to the airplane, continued with his work then he heard a loud “pop”. As he turned around, he believed he saw a large spray of water when the airplane hit standing water. The witness also reported that the airplane’s engine noise stopped immediately, when he heard the “pop”. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector responded to the accident site, and reported that the airplane came to rest in the upright position in about three feet of water. The amount of fuel on the aircraft could not be determined on-site, however, a fuel sheen was observed on the surrounding water. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with airplane single-engine land rating. The pilot’s second-class medical certificate was issued on December 4, 2007. His certificate had the limitations; carrying passengers for hire is prohibited at night and cross-country flights of mor

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, resulting in an inadvertent low-altitude aerodynamic stall.

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Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.