# NTSB CEN25LA200: Air Tractor AT-502, N45113, Gibson, AR, June 5, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 5, 2025, 18:37 local (23:37 UTC) - Place: Gibson, AR - Coordinates: 35.752381, -90.832076 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7524&lon=-90.8321&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 200287 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN25LA200 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200287/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA200 ## Probable cause The pilot’s loss of control during takeoff due to an encounter with a sudden wind shift. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: sudden wind shift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md?model=0390303), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md) - [Convective weather: thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03033010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03033010/cases.md?model=0390303), [All aircraft, 100 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03033010/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-502, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0390303), [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. - [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=0390303), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=0390303), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was attempting to takeoff for a local aerial application flight. During his flights that day, he had been monitoring a storm cell which was building to the south of the runway. He recalled that during his last landing, the windsock indicated a light wind; however, after reloading with fertilizer, he started the takeoff roll and noticed the 10-knot windsock was “completed inflated and whipping violently”. As he continued the takeoff, he felt the tail of the airplane being pushed by the wind, resulting in a back-and-forth motion. Despite being at a low speed (about 40 to 50 mph) and without pilot input, the force of the wind resulted in the airplane becoming airborne about 3 ft. The airplane then nosed down, tumbled, and came to rest inverted. He reported no mechanical malfunctions contributed to the accident, and he suspected the airplane encountered a downdraft or microburst. A review of weather information found an area of convective weather within 10 nautical miles south-southwest of the airstrip. FAA Advisory Circular 00-24C Thunderstroms highlights that within 20 miles of a severe thunderstorm the potential exists for low-level wind shear or microburst. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N45113](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N45113), registered now, S/N 502-0094, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT-502 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-502](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-502) (registry code 0390303) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-60A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-60a) (registry code 52043, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 502-0094 - Year built: 1990 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34AG 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Over and Under Flying Service - Registered owner: Housley Boyz Flying Service Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Airport: PVT, Private Strip, runway 27, 2,400 × 25 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 87; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 24, 2025; seat: single; flight hours: 4,186 total, 1,663 in this make and model, 75 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: KJBR, 10 nm away - METAR: KJBR 052253Z AUTO VRB03KT 10SM FEW048 31/23 A2994 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT SW SLP135 T03110228 $ ## 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 20250605006099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250605006099A), Jun 5, 2025: Air Tractor Inc AT-502, Gilkerson, AR, Substantial damage. On June 5, 2025, the airman involved in the accident was conducting agricultural operations near Gilkerson, AR. Visual meteorological conditions and calm winds… 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.