# NTSB FTW00LA232: Air Tractor AT-502, N73184, Helena, AR, August 14, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 14, 2000, 07:30 local (12:30 UTC) - Place: Helena, AR - Coordinates: 34.51921, -90.599845 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5192&lon=-90.5998&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 19, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49996 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA232 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49996/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA232 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance. A contributing factor was the sun glare. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application - object - other - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor) - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis This was the pilot's first flight of the morning, and he had completed spraying 35 acres of cotton. The pilot was flying from east to west, and had crossed over some trees and dropped down for a swath run when the right wing struck an irrigation sprinkler pivot. About 5-6 feet of the right wing and half of its aileron separated from the airplane. The pilot flew the airplane back to the staging strip and landed without further incident. The pilot stated that the sun was in his eyes, and it hampered him from seeing the irrigation pivot in time to avoid it. ## Factual narrative On August 14, 2000, at 0730 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502 agricultural airplane, N73184, was substantially damaged when it struck an irrigation sprinkler apparatus while maneuvering near Helena Arkansas. The airplane was owned and operated by the Riddell Flying Service, Inc., of West Helena, Arkansas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The local boll weevil eradication flight originated from a staging strip south of Helena at 0700. According to the pilot, this was his first flight of the day, and he had completed spraying 35 acres of cotton. He was flying from east to west, and had crossed over some trees and dropped down for a swath run when the right wing struck an irrigation sprinkler pivot. About 5-6 feet of the right wing and half of its aileron separated from the airplane. The pilot flew the airplane back to the staging strip and landed without further incident. The pilot stated that the sun was in his eyes, and it hampered him from seeing the irrigation pivot in time to avoid it. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N73184](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73184-2002-10-04), registration cancelled 2002-10-04, S/N 502-0010, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-502 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-502](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-502) (registry code 0390303) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52032, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 502-0010 - Airframe hours: 5443 - Engines: P&W PT6A-34 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Riddell Flying Service, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 8, 2000, 6 hours before - Departed: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 1,902 total, 1,098 in this make and model, 1,831 as pilot in command, 443 in the last 90 days, 185 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 181 °F ## 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 20000814011659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000814011659A), Aug 14, 2000: Airtrc AT502, Helena, AR, No damage. (-23) Pilot stated he was flying eastbound into sun as he descended over trees to make another swath run. Due to sunlight in his eyes and glare on canopy he… 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.