# NTSB FTW95LA207: Air Tractor AT-502, N4536Q, Mcgehee, AR, May 19, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 19, 1995, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Mcgehee, AR
- Coordinates: 33.620746, -91.389976 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6207&lon=-91.3900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 uninjured; on the ground: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 16, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19424
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA207
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19424/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA207

## Probable cause

THE GROUND SERVICE PERSON'S LACK OF ATTENTION AND FAILURE TO REMAIN CLEAR OF THE TURNING PROPELLER.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Propeller/rotor contact to person, standing - engine(s) operating
  - unsafe/hazardous condition - encountered, ground personnel (cause)
  - inattentive, ground personnel (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS PARKED IN THE CHEMICAL LOADING AREA, AND WAS UNOCCUPIED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING.  SUBSEQUENTLY, A GROUND CREW MEMBER, WHO WAS LOADING CHEMICALS, WALKED INTO THE TURNING PROPELLER AND RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES.

## Factual narrative

On May 19, 1995, at 1500 central daylight time, a ground crew member was fatally injured when he walked into a turning propeller at McGehee, Arkansas.  The aircraft, which was not damaged, was an Air Tractor AT502, N4536Q, operating under 14 CFR Part 137.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

At the time of the accident, the engine was running and the aircraft was unoccupied.  The ground crew member was loading chemicals and walked into the turning propeller.

The experience level, qualifications, and training of the ground crew member is unknown.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4536Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4536Q), registered now, S/N 502-0106 (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: 502-0106
- Airframe hours: 2400
- Engines: P&W PT6-15 680 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Dale Bailey
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 12, 1995, 136 hours before
- Departed: 7M1
- Airport: 7M1, Mcgehee Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 6,896 total, 2,400 in this make and model, 6,840 as pilot in command, 130 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19950519012059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950519012059A), May 19, 1995: Airtrc AT502, Mc Gehee, AR, Minor damage, 1 fatal. Engine running parked in loading area. Ground crew loading hopper walked into idling prop. Fatally injured.

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.

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