# NTSB FTW04LA151: Air Tractor AT-502B, N5002D, Weldon, AR, June 3, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 3, 2004, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Weldon, AR - Coordinates: 35.451946, -91.218612 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4519&lon=-91.2186&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 59385 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW04LA151 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59385/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA151 ## Probable cause (aircraft 3) The other pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout during approach to landing, which resulted in a midair collision between the two airplanes. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout during approach to landing, which resulted in a midair collision between the two airplanes. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Midair collision, landing - flare/touchdown - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground - Midair collision, landing - flare/touchdown - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis (aircraft 3) While on short final approach to landing at an uncontrolled private airstrip, the low-wing AT-502B collided with a low-wing AT-502B that was touching down on the runway. The 1,900-hour pilot of the airplane that was touching down reported that the other airplane "landed on top" and cut into his airplane. The 20,000-hour pilot of the other AT-502B reported that due to the altitude and attitude of the airplanes, he did not see the other airplane. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) While on short final approach to landing at an uncontrolled private airstrip, the low-wing AT-502B collided with a low-wing AT-502B that was touching down on the runway. The 1,900-hour pilot of the airplane that was touching down reported that the other airplane "landed on top" and cut into his airplane. The 20,000-hour pilot of the other AT-502B reported that due to the altitude and attitude of the airplanes, he did not see the other airplane. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 3) See narrative for FTW04LA151A. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On June 3, 2004, approximately 1800 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502B low-wing single-engine airplane, N5002D, and an Air Tractor AT-502B low-wing single-engine airplane, N6068H, collided during landing at a private airstrip, near Weldon, Arkansas. The first airplane, N5002D, sustained minor damage, and the second airplane, N6068H, sustained substantial damage. Both airplanes were registered to SSE Leasing, LLC, of Newport, Arkansas, and were operated by Weldon Flying Service, LLC, of Newport, Arkansas. Neither commercial pilot sustained any injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and flight plans were not filed for either 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flights. The local flights for both airplanes departed the private airstrip at an unknown time. The 20,000-hour pilot of the AT-502B, N5002D, reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that both airplanes were performing an aerial application on a field near the private airstrip where reloading operations were being performed. The pilot stated that take-off's and landings were being performed at a rate of 1 each every 10 minutes. During approach to landing from the southeast, the pilot observed N6068H slightly lower and approaching the airfield from the south. The pilot further stated due to the altitude and attitude of the airplanes, he did not see the other airplane. Subsequently, both airplanes collided on the south end of the runway. After the collision, the pilot further reported that N5002D pitched up on impact, stalled, and landed upright in the field adjacent to the runway. The 1,900-hour pilot of the AT-502B, N6068H, reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that he was landing from the south and observed N5002B approaching the airfield from the southeast. The pilot stated that as the airplane touched down, NB5002D "landed on top and cut into [the airplane]." Examination of N6068H by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed the airplane came to rest inverted. The tail was torn off and both wings were broken. Examination of N5002D revealed that the tips of the propeller blades were torn off. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N5002D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5002D-2017-05-22), registration cancelled 2017-05-22, S/N 502B-0393, 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-0393 - Airframe hours: 3718 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6-3A 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Minor damage - Fire: In-Flight - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Weldon Flying Service, LLC, doing business as SSE Leasing, LLC - Registered owner: SSE Leasing, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 16, 2004, 53 hours before - Departed: Weldon, AR - Destination: Weldon, AR - Airport: NONE, Weldone Flying Service, runway 36, 2,365 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Aircraft 3 - Registration: [N6068H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6068H-2009-10-23), registration cancelled 2009-10-23, S/N 502B-0276, 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-0276 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6-3A 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Weldon Flying Service, LLC, doing business as Weldon Flying Service, LLC - Registered owner: SSE Leasing, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: Weldon, AR - Destination: Weldon, AR - Airport: NONE, Weldone Flying Service, runway 36, 2,365 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N5002D; age 64; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review September 13, 2003; seat: center; flight hours: 20,000 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20040603011241A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040603011241A), Jun 3, 2004: Airtrc AT502B, Weldon, AR, Minor damage. (-23) On June 3, 2004, at 1800 CDT, an air tractor, AT-502B, N5002D, collided with air tractor, AT-502B, N6068H, during the execution of a landing near Weldon,… - [Accident 20040603011242A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040603011242A), Jun 3, 2004: Airtrc AT502B, Weldon, AR, Substantial damage. (-23) On June 3, 2004, at 1800 CDT, an air tractor, AT-502B, N6068H, had just touched down/landed when air tractor, AT-502B, N5002D, landed on top on N6068H,… 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.