# NTSB CEN11LA296: Air Tractor AT-802A, N802KC, New Madrid, MO, April 19, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 18, 2011, 19:30 local (Apr 19, 2011, 00:30 UTC) - Place: New Madrid, MO - Coordinates: 36.564445, -89.58139 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5644&lon=-89.5814&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining events: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250); [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 17, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-STL-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 78913 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11LA296 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78913/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78913 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA296 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) The failure of both pilots to see and avoid the other airplane, which resulted in a midair collision. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-802A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=0390308), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-802A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=0390308), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250) (defining event), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-802A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md?model=0390308), [All aircraft, 196 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 196 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) The AT-802A was returning to the airport after an aerial application flight and the AT-502B had just departed the airport and was flying to a field to begin an aerial application flight. The airplanes collided about 2-½ miles north of the airport. The AT-802A was on a south-southwesterly heading and the AT-502B was on a north-northeasterly heading when they collided nearly head-on separating the right main landing gear on the AT-502B and the vertical stabilizer on the AT-802A. The AT-502B returned to the departure airport where it landed uneventfully while the AT-802A descended, and impacted the terrain and a utility pole prior to coming to rest. There was no known communication between the two airplanes that were being operated by the same company. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) On April 18, 2011, at 1930 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-802A, N802KC, and an Air Tractor AT-502B, N8516K, were involved in a midair collision while both airplanes were engaged in aerial application operations near New Madrid, Missouri. The commercial pilot flying the AT-802A suffered serious injuries and the commercial pilot flying the AT-502B was not injured. Both airplanes were being operated by Hampton Flying Services LLC under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and neither airplane was operating under a flight plan. The AT-802A came to rest in a farm field after the collision and the pilot of AT-502B was able to land his airplane at the County Memorial Airport (EIW), New Madrid, Missouri. The pilot of the AT-802A does not recall the events surrounding the accident. The pilot of the AT-502B reported that he departed runway 18 and made a left turn to a northeasterly heading. He reported that the airplanes collided head-on at an altitude of 500 feet above the ground. Inspection of the airplanes and accident site by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed the collision occurred about 2 1/2 miles north of EIW. The AT-502B was had just taken off and was full of chemical. The AT-802A was returning from spraying and no chemicals were on board. The AT-802A was on a southwesterly prior to the collision. After the collision the airplane cleared a 5 foot tall fence prior to contacting the terrain. The airplane then traveled about 150 feet prior to coming to rest. The AT-502B was on a northeasterly heading. The pilot of the AT-502B was able to return to the departure airport where he landed. Impact marks and the location of the wreckage indicated the spray boom on the AT-502B contacted the windshield on the AT-802A. The right wheel on the AT-502B contacted the left side of the vertical stabilizer on the AT-802A. Both the right main gear and the vertical stabilizer were located in a field near the collision site. The horizontal stabilizer remained attached to the AT-802A. There was no known communication between the airplanes. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N802KC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N802KC), registered now, S/N 802A-0262, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT-802A - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-802A](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-802a) (registry code 0390308) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-65AG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-65ag) (registry code 52109, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 802A-0262 - Engines: P&W CANADA PT6A-65AG 1300 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Hampton Flying Service LLC - Registered owner: Hampton Flying Service LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: EIW, New Madrid, MO - Destination: EIW, New Madrid, MO - Airport: EIW, County Memorial Airport ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N8516K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8516K), registered now, S/N 502B-0669, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT-502B - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-502B](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-502b) (registry code 0390307) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 502B-0669 - Airframe hours: 4951 - Engines: P&W PT6A-34 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Hampton Flying Service LLC - Registered owner: Hampton Flying Service LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 18, 2011, 50 hours before - Departed: EIW, New Madrid, MO - Destination: EIW, New Madrid, MO - Airport: EIW, County Memorial Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N802KC; age 31; injuries: serious; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 31, 2011; seat: center; flight hours: 6,534 total, 811 in this make and model, 6,311 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 109 in the last 30 days - Pilot, aircraft N8516K; age 66; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: center; flight hours: 5,437 total, 1,070 in this make and model, 5,290 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.72 inHg - Observed at: CGI, 43 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20110418010792A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110418010792A), Apr 18, 2011: Air Tractor Inc AT-802A, Marston, MO, Destroyed. Both aircraft were engaged in aerial application. AT-802A N802KC was inbound southwest to new madrid county airport (eiw) from a field to the northeast of eiw.… - [Accident 20110418010802A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110418010802A), Apr 18, 2011: Air Tractor Inc AT-502B, Marston, MO, Substantial damage. Both aircraft were engaged in aerial application. AT-802A N802KC was inbound southwest to new madrid county airport (eiw) from a field to the northeast of eiw.… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 22, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78913. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 491 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354314&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Google Earth Plot Submitted by Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354315&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Google%20Earth%20Plot%20Submitted%20by%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - FAA Inspector (item 3, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354316&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.