# NTSB FTW01LA147: Air Tractor AT-502B, N6082B, Newport, AR, June 19, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 18, 2001, 20:00 local (Jun 19, 2001, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Newport, AR - Coordinates: 35.620414, -91.229705 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6204&lon=-91.2297&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 27, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 52534 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW01LA147 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52534/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA147 ## Probable cause the loss of control during takeoff initial climb as a result of encountering wake turbulence due to the pilot's failure to recognize the hazard and delay the takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - wake turbulence - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis During takeoff from a grass airstrip behind another agricultural airplane of the same type, the agricultural airplane encountered wake turbulence. The pilot turned the airplane to the left to "try and get out of it." The airplane's left wing and left main landing gear struck the ground, the airplane bounced on its right wing, and landed on its empennage. Subsequently, the airplane came to rest upright in a field. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented if he had waited "about one more minute" before taking off. ## Factual narrative On June 18, 2001, at 2000 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502B agricultural airplane, N6082B, was substantially damaged following an encounter with wake turbulence during initial takeoff climb near Newport, Arkansas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Ellis Flying Service, Inc., of Newport, 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 departing at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that he was attempting to takeoff to the south from a grass airstrip behind another AT-502B, when shortly after rotation, his airplane encountered wake turbulence. The pilot turned the airplane to the left to "try and get out of it." The airplane's left wing and left main landing gear struck the ground, the airplane bounced on its right wing, and landed on its empennage. Subsequently, the airplane came to rest upright in a bean field. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented if he had waited "about one more minute" before taking off. The pilot reported that the winds were calm at the time of the accident. According to the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, both wings and the empennage sustained structural damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6082B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6082B-2020-05-27), registration cancelled 2020-05-27, S/N 502B-0274, built 1994 (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-0274 - Airframe hours: 3222 - Engines: P&W PT6A-34 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Name - Registered owner: Ellis Flying Service Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 1, 2001, 132 hours before - Departed: Newport, AR - Airport: runway 18, 2,500 × 90 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review February 17, 2000; seat: center; flight hours: 6,808 total, 3,500 in this make and model, 6,550 as pilot in command, 350 in the last 90 days, 300 in the last 30 days, 15 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: calm - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °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 20010618016799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010618016799A), Jun 18, 2001: Airtrc AT502B, Newport, AR, No damage. (-23) On June 18, 2001 at approximately 8 pm local time, Mr. Mark ellis, a commercial pilot, certificate number 430294130, was performing aerial application… ## Other investigations on N6082B (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 ERA17FA279](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA279), Aug 16, 2017: Air Tractor AT502 (N6082B), Philipp, MS, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's improper decision to attempt a visual flight rules flight in instrument meteorological conditions, below a low overcast ceiling, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. 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.