# NTSB FTW01LA141: Air Tractor AT-502B, N6181Q, Marvell, AR, June 12, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 12, 2001, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Marvell, AR - Coordinates: 34.549968, -90.910896 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5500&lon=-90.9109&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured; on the ground: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report October 9, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 52519 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW01LA141 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52519/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA141 ## Probable cause the improper decision of the driver of the vehicle(ATV) to enter an active airstrip. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - improper decision, driver of vehicle (cause) - object - vehicle (cause) - evasive maneuver - attempted, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis An all-terrain vehicle (ATV) pulled out onto the runway in front of the departing aircraft, which was on takeoff roll approximately halfway down the 1/2-mile long dirt airstrip. The pilot swerved the airplane to the left, and the right wing impacted the roll cage on the ATV. The ATV rolled over under the airplane's right wing, and the airplane continued to the left and impacted a ditch. The left main landing gear separated, the airplane spun around to the left and came to rest upright in a field. The driver of the ATV stated that he thought the airstrip was a "turnabout," and realized a "yellow airplane" was approaching them from behind. ## Factual narrative On June 12, 2001, at 1330 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502B single-engine airplane, N6181Q, was substantially damaged following an on-ground collision with an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) during takeoff roll from a private dirt airstrip near Marvell, Arkansas. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured, and the two occupants on the ATV received minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by Phillips County Flying Service Inc., of Marvell, Arkansas. 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 flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that during takeoff roll, an ATV rolled out onto the runway directly in front of him, about midway down the 1/2-mile airstrip. The pilot then "swerved" the airplane to the left, and the right wing impacted the roll cage on the ATV. The ATV rolled over under the airplane's right wing, and the airplane continued to the left, through a ditch, and came to rest upright in a field. The driver of the ATV stated he thought the dirt airstrip was a "turnabout," and realized a "yellow airplane" was approaching them from behind. According to the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, the airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6181Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6181Q), registered now, S/N 502B-0395, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-502B - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-502B](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-502b) (registry code 0390307) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 502B-0395 - Engines: P&W PT6-34 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Phillips County Flying Service Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: Marvell, AR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review February 28, 2001; seat: center; flight hours: 14,000 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 13,500 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 97 °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 20010612015039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010612015039A), Jun 12, 2001: Airtrc AT502B, Marvell, AR, No damage. (-23) On June 12, 2001 at approximately 1330 hours, N6181Q, an air tractor, AT-502B crash-landed while taking off to the west by striking an atv at the middle… ## Other investigations on N6181Q (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 GAA16CA224](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA224), May 8, 2016: Air Tractor AT 502 (N6181Q), Oberlin, KS, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in runway excursion, and a ground loop. 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.