# NTSB CEN20LA269: Air Tractor AT 602, N602NY, Weldon, AR, July 3, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 3, 2020, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Weldon, AR - Coordinates: 35.462776, -91.17694 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4628&lon=-91.1769&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, Little Rock FSDO, Transportation Safety Board of Canada - NTSB case key (mKey): 101567 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20LA269 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101567/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101567 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA269 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis During an aerial application flight, the pilot was returning to the airplane’s base when the engine "spooled down” and lost total power. The pilot stated that, when the total loss of engine power occurred, the airplane was established in cruise flight at an altitude of about 400 ft above ground level. He was unable to restore engine power by moving the power and propeller levers to full forward and activating the fuel boost pump and ignitors. The pilot made a “firm” forced landing in an open field. The airplane made a ground loop, which caused the tailwheel to separate and resulted in substantial damage to the aft fuselage. Postaccident examination of the fuel system revealed ample fuel remaining and no evidence of contamination. The engine operated normally during two postaccident ground tests. Thus, the reasons for the total loss of engine power during the accident flight could not be determined with the available evidence from the investigation. ## Factual narrative On July 3, 2020, about 1700 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-602 airplane, N602NY, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Weldon, Arkansas. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The pilot stated that he departed from a private airstrip with about 75 gallons of Jet A fuel and a load of dry granular fertilizer. The pilot reported that the aerial application portion of the flight was uneventful but that, about 10 minutes into the flight, as the airplane was returning to its base, the engine "spooled down" and the airplane had a total loss of engine power. At the time, the airplane was about 3 miles from the airstrip and was established in cruise flight about 400 ft above ground level. The pilot was unable to restore engine power by moving the power and propeller levers to full forward and activating the fuel boost pump and ignitors. He did not recall looking at the cockpit engine gauges after the loss of engine power. The pilot stated that he made a “firm” forced landing in an open field but lost directional control of the airplane. The aft fuselage sustained substantial damage when the tailwheel separated during the ground loop. Three days after the accident, before notifying the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) or Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the accident, the pilot’s aviation mechanic examined the airplane at the accident site to begin a repair estimate. The mechanic stated that ample fuel was in the fuel tanks and that he was able to start and run the engine at the accident site. The mechanic noted that the engine responded to his power lever inputs and that his movement of the propeller lever cycled the propeller without any anomalies with an rpm of 1,500. The mechanic stated that all observed engine parameters were nominal during the engine test run. The FAA and the NTSB were subsequently notified about the accident. The airplane was partially disassembled and recovered from the field to a repair station for repairs and examinations. The recovery crew reported that about 56 gallons of fuel was drained from the wing tanks and that the recovered fuel was evenly distributed between the wing fuel tanks. Subsequent examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel lines, fuel tank inlet screens, and fuel filters showed no evidence of any blockage, water, or significant particles. The airplane's digital fuel management system indicated that 50.3 gallons of fuel remained in the fuel tanks after the postaccident engine test run at the accident site. A second engine ground test was completed in the presence of a FAA maintenance inspector after the airframe was repaired. The engine started and operated without any anomalies during the ground test. Additional testing did not reveal any anomalies with the mechanical airframe fuel pump, electric fuel boost pump, or engine Py line. The engine hadaccumulated 1,521.6 hours since new and 141 hours since its last inspection on May 1, 2020. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N602NY](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N602NY-2023-02-04), registration cancelled 2023-02-04, S/N 602-1245 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT 602 (No Series) - 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: 602-1245 - Year built: 2014 - Airframe hours: 1521.6 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-65AG 1050 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: PMZ Flying Service - Registered owner: Freppon Farm Equipment LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 15, 2020, 210.7 hours before - Departed: PVT, Weldon, AR - Destination: PVT, Weldon, AR - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 31, 2018; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 8,080 total, 487 in this make and model, 5,954 as pilot in command, 210 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: M19, 10 nm away - METAR: METAR KM19 032156Z AUTO 25007KT 10SM CLR 33/24 A2990 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT NE SLP122 T03280239= ## 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 20200703011379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200703011379A), Jul 3, 2020: Air Tractor Inc AT-602, Weldon, AR, Substantial damage. N602NY departed principal base of operations (pbo) (38° 28'04.08" n / 91° 13'48.23" w), flew approximately 7 miles, and dispensed the day?s final load of dry… ## Other investigations on N602NY (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 CEN21LA240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA240), May 27, 2021: Air Tractor AT602 (N602NY), Trumann, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to review the weather conditions before the flight, which resulted in a loss of directional control during takeoff due to a sudden change in wind direction and speed associated… ## Docket (10 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 1, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101567. 37.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14608696&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=01%20-%20Pilot%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum of conversation (david h freppon) (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 76 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14608509&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=02%20-%20Memorandum%20of%20Conversation%20(David%20H%20Freppon)-Rel.pdf - Memorandum of conversation (will dawson) (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14608786&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=03%20-%20Memorandum%20of%20Conversation%20(Will%20Dawson)-Rel.pdf - Email concerning fuel remaining after postaccident engine runup (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 153 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14608947&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=04%20-%20Email%20Concerning%20Fuel%20Remaining%20after%20Postaccident%20Engine%20Runup_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Email concerning postaccident engine run by frost aviation inc (item 5, PDF, 2 pages, 137 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14607396&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=05%20-%20Email%20Concerning%20Postaccident%20Engine%20Run%20by%20Frost%20Aviation%20Inc_Redacted-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector statement (item 6, PDF, 4 pages, 305 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14608117&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=06%20-%20FAA%20Inspector%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Airframe logbook (item 7, PDF, 14 pages, 17.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14617694&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=07%20-%20Airframe%20Logbook_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Engine logbook (item 8, PDF, 15 pages, 16.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14608598&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=08%20-%20Engine%20Logbook_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Weather data (item 9, PDF, 1 page, 99 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14608519&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=09%20-%20Weather%20Data-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 10, PDF, 2 pages, 524 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14608127&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=10%20-%20Photos-Rel.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.