# NTSB CEN21LA161: Air Tractor AT-602, N119KP, Dumas, AR, March 15, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 15, 2021, 09:40 local (14:40 UTC) - Place: Dumas, AR - Coordinates: 33.875654, -91.342513 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8757&lon=-91.3425&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: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 102798 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21LA161 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102798/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102798 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA161 ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) The failure of both pilots to see and avoid the other airplane. ## 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-602, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=0390309), [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-602, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=0390309), [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-602, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md?model=0390309), [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-602, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 196 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md) ## Analysis (aircraft 1) Two agricultural application airplanes were operating at low altitude and in proximity to the other. One pilot intended to land at an airstrip, and the other pilot circled a field to scout for obstacles. Both pilots, while focused on their specific tasks, failed to visually identify the other airplane; as a result, the airplanes collided in flight. Both airplanes landed without further incident. One airplane sustained substantial damage and the other sustained minor damage. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On March 15, 2021, about 0940 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-602 airplane, N119KP, sustained substantial damage and another Air Tractor AT-602 airplane, N312FB, sustained minor damage when they were involved in a midair collision accident near Dumas, Arkansas. Neither pilot sustained injuries. Both airplanes were operated as Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flights. According to the pilot of N119KP, when he had the landing airstrip in sight, he began to descend the airplane. When the airplane descended through an altitude of about 300 to 400 ft above ground level, the pilot looked briefly at his map then looked out toward the airstrip when he felt something strike the left wingtip of his airplane. The pilot landed the airplane without further incident. A posaccident photograph showed substantial damage to the left wing. According to the pilot of N312FB, he flew to a field to be sprayed and circled over it to check for obstacles before the application. The airplane was about 400 ft above ground level in a 40° to 45° left bank when the pilot felt the other airplane impact his airplane. The pilot stated the other airplane came from the “5 o’clock position” and that its left wingtip struck his airplane’s right-side step and spray boom. The pilot landed the airplane without incident. The airplane sustained minor damage to the fuselage and spray boom. Neither pilot reported any mechanical malfunctions that could have contributed to the accident. Both pilots worked for different operators, and neither pilot was in radio contact, nor were they required to be in radio contact, with the other pilot. Neither airplane was equipped, and neither was required to be equipped, with an automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast unit for Part 137 operations. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N119KP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N119KP), registered now, S/N 602-1305, built 2019 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC 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: 602-1305 - Year built: 2019 - Airframe hours: 1111.5 - Engines: P&W CANADA PT6A-65AG 1300 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: K & P Flying Services Inc - Registered owner: K & P Flying Services Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 11, 2021, 136 hours before - Departed: PVT, Watson, AR - Airport: PVT, Pvt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Stall warning system ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N312FB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N312FB), registered now, S/N 602-1312, built 2020 (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: 602-1312 - Year built: 2020 - Airframe hours: 61 - Engines: P&W CANADA PT6A-65AG 1300 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Farm Brothers A Flyers, LLC - Registered owner: Farm Brothers A Flyers, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 23, 2020, 61 hours before - Departed: Dumas, AR - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N119KP; age 48; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 31, 2021; seat: single; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 21,180 total, 20,135 in this make and model, 21,000 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N312FB; age 49; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 10, 2020; seat: single; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 11,500 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 10,500 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: LLQ, 1.5 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 20210315002282A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210315002282A), Mar 15, 2021: Air Tractor Inc AT-602, Dumas, AR, Minor damage. Aircraft "a" departed his base going approximately 4 miles southeast to spray filed. Aircraft "a" was at 400FT in a left turn over field looking for obstacles.… - [Accident 20210315002292A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210315002292A), Mar 15, 2021: Air Tractor Inc AT-602, Dumas, AR, Minor damage. Aircraft "a" departed his base going approximately 4 miles southeast to spray filed. Aircraft "a" was at 400FT in a left turn over field looking for obstacles.… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 31, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102798. 10.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (N312FB) (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 5.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14322212&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20from%20John%20Rogers%20completed_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (N119KP) (item 2, PDF, 9 pages, 3.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14321726&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120.1%20David%20Glasscock_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 1 photo, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14585082&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20CEN21LA161-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.