# NTSB FTW98LA205: Air Tractor AT-402, N91660, Forrest City, AR, May 7, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 7, 1998, 07:06 local (12:06 UTC) - Place: Forrest City, AR - Coordinates: 35.01057, -90.780471 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0106&lon=-90.7805&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 8, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20594 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA205 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20594/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA205 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain. Factors were the sunglare and the pilot's restriction to visibility due to chemicals on the windshield. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor) - window,flight compartment window/windshield - dirty(foggy) (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - visual/aural detection, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis The agricultural airplane impacted a levee while spraying herbicides on a rice field. According to the pilot, after completing 6 passes over the field, the drifting chemicals covered the windshield. The pilot stated that he used the airplane's window washer; however, the washer was ineffective in clearing the chemicals from the windshield. On the next pass, while travelling from west to east into the rising sun, the main landing gear of the airplane collided with a rice levee. The pilot added that the propeller was damaged and the landing gear was torn off by the impact. Subsequent to the propeller impact with the levee, the engine lost power and the airplane landed on a vacant field across the road from the field being sprayed, coming to rest in the upright position. ## Factual narrative On May 7, 1998, at 0706 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-402, agricultural airplane, N91660, was substantially damaged after impacting the ground while maneuvering near Forrest City, Arkansas. The non-instrument rated commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was owned and operated by Hutcherson Flying Service Inc., of Forrest City, Arkansas, under Title 14 CFR Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from the Forrest City Municipal Airport, approximately 22 minutes prior to the accident. The flight departed with 140 gallons of fuel and a full load of liquid herbicide to be dispensed over rice fields in the area. According to the pilot, after completing 6 passes over the field, the drifting chemicals covered the windshield. The pilot stated that he used the airplane's window washer; however, the washer was ineffective in clearing the chemicals from the windshield. On the next pass, while travelling from west to east into the rising sun, the main landing gear of the airplane collided with a rice levee. The pilot added that the propeller was damaged and the landing gear was torn off by the initial impact. The pilot further stated that subsequent to the propeller impact with the levee, the engine lost power and the airplane landed on a vacant field across the road from the field being sprayed, coming to rest in the upright position. During a telephone interview conducted by the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot confirmed that at the time of the accident, the airplane was flying eastbound into the rising sun, and his forward visibility was impaired by the spray on the windshield. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N91660](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N91660-2013-10-23), registration cancelled 2013-10-23, S/N 402-0903, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-402 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-402](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-402) (registry code 0390205) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 402-0903 - Airframe hours: 2660 - Engines: P&W PT6A-27 680 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Hutchersonflying Service Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 27, 1998, 44 hours before - Departed: FCY ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 3,200 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 175 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 7 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MEM, 35 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 19980507046869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980507046869A), May 7, 1998: Airtrc AT402, Forrest City, AR, No damage. (-23) The pilot was making an easterly swath ren over a rice field. The sun was in the east (07:00 local time). The windshield had some spray particles on it… ## Other investigations on N91660 (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 FTW02LA158](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA158), May 20, 2002: Air Tractor 402 (N91660), Hughes, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Contributing factors were the malfunction of the tail wheel locking mechanism and the high vegetation along the sides of… 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.