# NTSB CEN15LA384: Air Tractor AT 602, N3026R, Pine Bluff, AR, August 26, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 26, 2015, 13:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Pine Bluff, AR - Coordinates: 34.19889, -92.003608 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1989&lon=-92.0036&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report October 21, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 91871 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN15LA384 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91871/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91871 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA384 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain during an aerial application flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was lining up the airplane for the last spray run of the field but that he had no recollection of the accident. An examination of the wreckage site revealed that the airplane was operating at high speed in a wings-level attitude when it impacted terrain. The airplane traveled more than 200 yards following the initial impact before coming to rest inverted in the field. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions, and the operator reported that there was no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane. ## Factual narrative On August 26, 2015, about 1345 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-602, N3026R, collided with the terrain under unknown circumstances in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. The pilot was seriously injured. The aircraft was registered to and operated by Farm Brothers Flyers LLC under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an aerial application flight. Visual flight rules conditions prevailed for the flight, which not operated on a flight plan. The local flight originated at 1300 from the operator's private airstrip in Ladd, Arkansas. The pilot reported he finished spraying the rice field and the last thing he remembers is lining up for a trim pass on the south side of the field. He does not have any recollection of the impact. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector who inspected the accident site and the wreckage reported the airplane was traveling at a high rate of speed when it contacted the rice field. The airplane impacted the ground twice prior to coming to rest. The first impact appeared to be in a wings level attitude about 150 yards prior to the main wreckage. Another impact mark was located about 50 yards prior to the main wreckage. The airplane nosed over and slid about 35 yards prior to coming to rest. Flight control continuity was established. The propeller, which was separated from the wreckage, was recovered and the blades were twisted and bent. The left wing spray boom, the propeller and propeller hub were separated from the airplane during the impact sequence. Both wings and the fuselage were substantially damaged. The operator reported there was no mechanical malfunction or failure of the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3026R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3026R-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N 602-1226, built 2013 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT 602 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-602](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-602) (registry code 0390309) (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: 602-1226 - Year built: 2013 - Airframe hours: 1420 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Farm Brothers Flyers A LLC - Registered owner: Farm Brothers Flyers A LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 14, 2014 - Departed: Ladd, AR - Destination: Ladd, AR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 13, 2014; seat: center; flight hours: 7,695 total, 1,420 in this make and model, 325 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 8 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: PBF ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20150826014109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150826014109A), Aug 26, 2015: Air Tractor Inc AT-602, Pine Bluff, AR, Substantial damage. On August 26, 2015, at 12:26 pm CST, an Air tractor AT-602, N3026R,registered to farm brothers flyers, LLC, was applying pesticide on a field near Pine Bluff,… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 24, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91871. 3.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432163&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 72 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432164&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-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.