# NTSB FTW03LA098: Air Tractor AT-502B, N61802, Holly Grove, AR, February 18, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 18, 2003, 08:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Holly Grove, AR - Coordinates: 34.583332, -91.165832 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5833&lon=-91.1658&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Little Rock, Arkansas - NTSB case key (mKey): 56501 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW03LA098 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56501/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA098 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to abort the takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, takeoff - roll/run - lift-off - not attained, pilot in command - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted - object - fence ## Analysis While attempting to takeoff from a 4,500-foot runway, the airplane collided with a threshold light, and overran the departure end of the runway, colliding with a fence post supporting a 10-foot tall airport perimeter fence. The airplane came to rest in an inverted position entangled in the fence. The pilot reported that the engine was producing full takeoff power at the start of his takeoff roll; however, he suspected that the engine power had decayed during the latter part of the takeoff roll, which he was not able to detect in time to abort the takeoff ## Factual narrative On February 18, 2003, at 0830 central standard time, an Air Tractor AT-502B turbine powered agricultural airplane, N61802, was substantially damaged upon collision with a fence while attempting to takeoff from runway 15 at the Holly Grove Municipal Airport (2A6), near Holly Grove, Arkansas. The non-instrument rated commercial pilot, sole occupant of the aircraft, sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to Philips County Flying Service, Inc., of Marvell, Arkansas, and was being operated by Hill Flying Service, Inc., of Holly Grove, Arkansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The local aerial application flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported to the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, that the scheduled local aerial application of fertilizer was the first flight of the day. The airplane was topped off with fuel and the hopper was also filled with fertilizer. The pilot stated that he configured the airplane with full flaps for a full-length takeoff from runway 15 (4,500 feet by 50 feet wide). During the takeoff roll, the airplane collided with a threshold light and overran the departure end of the runway. The airplane then impacted a support post for a 10-foot high airport perimeter fence. The airplane came to rest in the inverted position entangled in the fence. There was no fire and no fuel was spilled. The hopper was not compromised. Detailed examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed structural damage to the fuselage and both wings. The empennage remained connected to the fuselage only by the control cables. The propeller remained attached to the engine mounts, and the turbine engine remained attached to the airframe. The last annual inspection for the airframe and the engine was completed on January 29, 2003, at 3,071 aircraft hours, approximately 6 hours prior to the accident. In a telephone interview, the 16,000-hour pilot reported to the NTSB investigator-in-charge that the engine was producing full takeoff power at the start of his takeoff roll; however, he suspected that "the engine power had decayed during the latter part of the takeoff roll, which he was not able to detect in time to abort the flight." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N61802](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N61802-2012-11-13), registration cancelled 2012-11-13, S/N 502B-0392, 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-0392 - Airframe hours: 3076 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34AG 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Hill Flying Service Inc. - Registered owner: Phillips County Flying Service Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 29, 2003, 6 hours before - Departed: 2A6, Holly Grove, AR - Airport: 2A6, Holly Grove Municipal Airport, runway 15, 4,500 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review February 9, 2002; seat: center; flight hours: 16,000 total, 1,500 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 5 knots - Visibility: 4 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg - Observed at: KSGT ## 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 20030218003399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030218003399A), Feb 18, 2003: Airtrc AT502B, Holly Grove, AR, Substantial damage. (-23) On February 18, 2003, at 0830 central standard time, an air tractor AT-502B turbine powered agricultural airplane, N61802, was substantially damaged upon… 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.