# NTSB FTW98LA006: Air Tractor AT-602, N602GB, Plains, TX, October 3, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 3, 1997, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Plains, TX - Coordinates: 33.190357, -102.819854 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1904&lon=-102.8199&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 6, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20446 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA006 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20446/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA006 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper decision to initiate takeoff with a vehicle on the runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - object - vehicle - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis During the initial takeoff climb, the agricultural airplane's left wing struck a pickup truck that was parked on the runway, and the airplane then impacted the ground. The runway was closed for resurfacing, but the pilot had received an 'ok' from the supervisor of the runway workcrew to use the runway. Although the pilot was aware of the position of the workcrew's pickup truck when he began his takeoff roll, he thought the truck was in the process of moving off the runway. The airplane had reached a speed of 70 mph when the pilot realized the pickup truck had not moved, and he attempted to avoid the collision, but was unable to do so. ## Factual narrative On October 3, 1997, at 1600 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-602 agricultural airplane, N602GB, registered to and operated by G&B Aerial Applications, Inc., of Plains, Texas, was substantially damaged when it collided with a vehicle during initial takeoff climb at the Yoakum County Airport near Plains. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 137 local aerial application flight which was originating when the accident occurred. During a telephone interview, conducted by the NTSB investigator-in-charge, and in the attached NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, the operator and the pilot reported that the runway was closed for resurfacing. They further reported that on the morning of the accident, they both spoke to the supervisor of the runway work crew who stated that it was "ok" to use the runway. The pilot taxied the airplane onto runway 35 for takeoff and noticed that a pickup truck used by the work crew was parked "halfway down the runway." He turned on the airplane's landing lights to attract the truck driver's attention and waited "at least 10 minutes." The pilot then observed the driver get into the truck and saw the brake lights of the truck illuminate. Subsequently, he began his takeoff roll. The airplane had reached a speed of approximately 70 mph when the pilot realized the pickup truck had not moved and saw the driver exit the truck. He attempted to avoid the collision; however, the left wing of the airplane struck the top of the truck, and the airplane then impacted the ground. The operator reported that the airplane's fuselage, tail section, and both wings sustained structural damage. According to the written statements of witnesses, who were members of the runway work crew, the airplane was airborne when it collided with the truck. Following the impact, the airplane "veered left and spun [around] several times" before coming to rest in a field west of the runway. One of the workers, who was near the pickup truck, stated that when he "saw and heard [the] plane coming," he "ran across the runway to move the truck." As he started to open the truck's door, he realized the airplane was "too close," and he ran to the west side of the runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N602GB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N602GB), registered now, S/N 602-0425, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-602 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-602](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-602) (registry code 0390309) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-66 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-66-series) (registry code 52118, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 602-0425 - Airframe hours: 533 - Engines: P&W PT6A-65AG 1300 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: G&B Aerial Applications, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 19, 1997, 212 hours before - Departed: F98 - Airport: F98, Yoakum County, runway 35, 3,960 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 6,716 total, 510 in this make and model, 6,609 as pilot in command, 440 in the last 90 days, 160 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 6 knots - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 19971003030029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971003030029A), Oct 3, 1997: Airtrc AT602, Plains, TX, Substantial damage. Taxiing for takeoff, struck a pickup truck which was parked on the runway. (-23) during takeoff the aircraft hit a truck parked on the runway. The aircraft was… ## Other investigations on N602GB (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 FTW03LA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA019), Oct 25, 2002: Air Tractor AT-602 (N602GB), Plainview, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the wires. Contributing factors were the low ceilings and the prevailing haze. 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.