# NTSB FTW99LA196: Air Tractor AT-502B, N6073U, Marvel, AR, July 21, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 21, 1999, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Marvel, AR - Coordinates: 34.550178, -90.909713 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5502&lon=-90.9097&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 June 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46852 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW99LA196 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46852/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA196 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to attain the proper takeoff airspeed. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb - terrain condition - crop - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, takeoff - initial climb ## Analysis During takeoff from a private airstrip, the aerial application airplane skimmed the top of a cotton field. When the pilot took off with a 'heavy load of fertilizer.' The airplane departed to the north on a half paved, half turf runway measuring approximately 3,000 feet long. An examination was conducted of the accident site revealing that a thin-walled plastic pipe carrying water for crops had been hit by the airplane. There was evidence that the airplane continued to 'skim the top of a cotton field for 2,000 feet.' The airplane came to rest inverted in the cotton field. ## Factual narrative On July 21, 1999, at 1200 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502B agricultural airplane, N6073U, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during takeoff from a private airstrip near Marvel, Arkansas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was owned and operated by Griffin Ag, Inc., of Wabash, Arkansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. In the enclosed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot stated that while nearing the departure end of the runway during the takeoff, he noticed the airplane "was not wanting to fly." He stated that he "opened the dump handle and started releasing fertilizer from the hopper." He added that at the end of the runway there was a 2-foot incline with cotton planted on top. When he got to the incline, the pilot pulled back on the stick and got the airplane off of the ground, but not over the cotton, which dragged against the wheels. According to the FAA inspector, who visited the accident site, the pilot took off with a "heavy load of fertilizer." The airplane departed to the north from a half paved, half turf runway measuring approximately 3,000 feet long. The FAA inspector stated that at the departure end of the runway, there was a thin-walled plastic pipe carrying water for crops. Physical evidence indicated that the airplane impacted the pipe and continued to "skim the top of the cotton field for 2,000 feet." The airplane came to rest inverted in the cotton field. The FAA inspector stated that the fuselage was structurally damaged and twisted to the left just aft of the pilot's station. The right and left wings, empennage and propeller blades sustained damage. The FAA inspector added that the temperature at the time of the accident was approximately 95 degrees Fahrenheit. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6073U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6073U-2007-05-16), registration cancelled 2007-05-16, S/N 502B-0355, 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: AT502B-0355 - Airframe hours: 2500 - Engines: P&W PT6-34AG 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Griffin Ag, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 20, 1998, 500 hours before - Departed: NONE - Airport: NONE, Phillips Co. Flying Serv., runway 36, 2,560 × 60 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,700 total, 500 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 225° at 2 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 95 °F ## 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 19990721046319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990721046319A), Jul 21, 1999: Airtrc AT502B, Marvel, AR, No damage. (-23) Aircraft had load of damp fertilizer (approximately 3,800 pounds) when a takeoff was attempted with an outside air temperature of approximately 95… ## Other investigations on N6073U (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 FTW02LA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA086), Feb 28, 2002: Air Tractor AT-502B (N6073U), Extension, LA, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. A factor was the pilot's impairment due to drugs. 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.