# Accident 19980517009929A: Airtrc AT502B, Parkins, AR, May 17, 1998

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 17, 1998, 15:30 local time
- Place: Parkins, AR
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: To Init Climb(1st Pwr Reduct)
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: UTCG
- Location: 35.2610° N, 90.5500° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2610&lon=-90.5500&mi=10
- Aircraft: N502JF, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N502JF-2000-01-12) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Air Tractor AT-502B (registry code 0390307, https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-502b) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIRTRC AT502B
- Reported engine: PWA PT6A34
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 3,200 total, 500 in this make and model, 75 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB FTW98LA225](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA225) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980517009929A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

AIR TRACTOR WAS TAKING OFF DOWN WIND WITH A LOAD FOR AERIAL APPLICATION WHEN IT STRUCK A TREE AND CRASHED. (.4)THE PILOT STATED THAT WHILE TAKING OFF FROM A DIRT STRIP, THE AIRPLANE FAILED TO CLEAR A TREE LINE ABOUT 200 FEET BEYOND THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. ACCORDING TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH AN OAK TREE AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE AIRSTRIP AS THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKEOFF TO THE SOUTH WITH A LOAD OF DRY FERTILIZER. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS PERFORMING NORMALLY. HE ESTIMATED THAT HE HAD 100 GALLONS OF FUEL ON BOARD. THE POSITION OF THE FLAPS COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. DURING AN INVESTIGATION, THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT 2,200 FEET.                                                                  (-23) WHILE ATTEMPTING A DOWNWIND TAKE OFF FROM AN INIMPROVED STRIP THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO CLEAR THE TREES. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE TREES AND WAS DEMOLISHED. THE OBSTACLES LOCATED NEAR THE RUNWAY DICTATED A DOWNWIND DEPARTURE. ALTHOUGH THE PILOT HAD FLOWN OFF THIS STRIP SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE HEAT OF THE DAY.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB FTW98LA225](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA225), May 17, 1998: Air Tractor AT-502B (N502JF), Parkin, AR, destroyed. Probable cause: the pilot's improper planning/decision, which resulted in his failure to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance from trees at the departure end of the airstrip. Related factors were: high density…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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