# NTSB FTW02LA158: Air Tractor 402, N91660, Hughes, AR, May 20, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 20, 2002, 07:40 local (12:40 UTC) - Place: Hughes, AR - Coordinates: 35.066112, -90.582221 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0661&lon=-90.5822&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 1, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 54751 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW02LA158 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54751/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54751 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA158 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Contributing factors were the malfunction of the tail wheel locking mechanism and the high vegetation along the sides of the airstrip. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hazardous materials leak/spill, maneuvering - aerial application - aerial application equipment - leak - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - landing gear,gear locking mechanism - malfunction (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) ## Analysis While conducting an aerial application flight, the pilot noticed that three spray nozzles were leaking. Several crops in the area were susceptible to the chemical being dispensed, prompting the pilot to divert and execute a landing at an alternate airstrip to fix the nozzles. After touching down, the pilot stated the tail wheel did not lock properly, which resulted in the airplane kicking to the left and departing the airstrip. The airplane's left spray boom then became entangled in the adjoining wheat, and the airplane ground looped. The pilot reported having trouble with the tail wheel locking mechanism about a week before the accident. ## Factual narrative On May 20, 2002, approximately 0740 central daylight time, an Air Tractor 402 agricultural airplane, N91660, sustained substantial damage while landing at a private grass airstrip near Hughes, Arkansas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Hutcherson Flying Service of Forrest City, Arkansas, under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from another private airstrip near Blackfish, Arkansas, at 0720. In the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported that while spraying a field, he was having trouble with three spray nozzles. There were numerous crops in the area that were susceptible to the chemical he was applying, prompting him to land at an alternate airstrip to repair the leaking nozzles. The pilot reported that after touching down, the "tail wheel locking mechanism failed" and he felt the airplane "kick to the left, like something had come loose back there." The airplane's left spray boom became entangled in the adjacent wheat crop, pulling it off the left side of the airstrip. The airplane ground looped, and came to rest in an upright position. The pilot stated that a week prior to the accident, he noticed problems with the tail wheel locking mechanism. The tail wheel bushings and fork were replaced, but "this didn't cure the problem." An FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, reported the left lower wing was damaged, the fuselage was twisted, and the rudder, elevator, and both horizontal and vertical stabilizers had sustained damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N91660](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N91660-2013-10-23), registration cancelled 2013-10-23, S/N 402-0903, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor 402 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-402](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-402) (registry code 0390205) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 402-0903 - Airframe hours: 4636 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6-27 650 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Hutcherson Flying Service - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 11, 2002, 70 hours before - Departed: NONE, Hughes, AR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review April 29, 2001; seat: single; flight hours: 3,578 total, 150 in this make and model, 3,500 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 158 °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 20020520011209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020520011209A), May 20, 2002: Airtrc AT402, Hughes, AR, No damage. (-23) On may 20, 2002, approximately 0740 central daylight time, an air tractor 402 agricultural airplane, N91660, sustained substantial damage while landing… ## Other investigations on N91660 (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 FTW98LA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA205), May 7, 1998: Air Tractor AT-402 (N91660), Forrest City, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain. Factors were the sunglare and the pilot's restriction to visibility due to chemicals on the windshield. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 10, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54751. 804 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 804 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40438655&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.