# NTSB FTW03LA050: Air Tractor AT-502, N502RS, Weiner, AR, November 20, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 20, 2002, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Weiner, AR - Coordinates: 35.686668, -90.793609 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6867&lon=-90.7936&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Little Rock FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56113 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW03LA050 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56113/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA050 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to a compressor stall for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the soft terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined - compressor assembly - stall (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - soft - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis Shortly after takeoff, approximately 120 feet AGL, the turboprop agricultural aircraft developed a compressor stall and lost power. The pilot attempted to level the airplane when it impacted soft terrain and nosed over. The reason for the compressor stall and loss of power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On November 20, 2002, at 1400 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502 agricultural airplane, N502RS, registered to and operated by Keller Flying Service Inc., of Weiner, Arkansas, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after a loss of engine power during initial climb after takeoff from Keller Airfield, near Weiner, Arkansas. The commercial pilot sustained serious injuries and his passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to information provided in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) and in a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that the engine "developed a compressor stall" just after takeoff while climbing through 120 feet AGL. After the loss of power, the pilot "nosed the aircraft down" to gain airspeed, then attempted to level the airplane by "dumping the flaps". Subsequently, the airplane's landing gear contacted the "soft" ground and "dug in." The airplane then nosed over resulting in structural damage to the fuselage. The reason for the compressor stall and loss of power could not be determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N502RS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N502RS-2013-06-14), registration cancelled 2013-06-14, S/N 502-0089, built 1990 (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 Canada PT6A-60A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-60a) (registry code 52043, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 502-0089 - Airframe hours: 5277 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-15AG 680 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Keller Flying Service Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2002, 152 hours before - Departed: 5AR7, Weiner, AR - Destination: 5AR7, Weiner, AR - Airport: 5AR7, Keller Airfield, runway 18, 2,600 × 88 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review March 7, 2002; seat: center; flight hours: 10,310 total, 5,568 in this make and model, 98,180 as pilot in command, 56 in the last 90 days, 56 in the last 30 days, 56 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 7 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: JBR, 11 nm away ## 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 20021120034319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021120034319A), Nov 20, 2002: Airtrc AT502, Joneboro, AR, Substantial damage. (-23) On November 20, 2002 at approximately 13:30 CST, a AT-502 tractor, N502RS, was substantially damaged during take off from the keller flying service… 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.