# NTSB MKC90LA023: Air Tractor AT-502, N1012Z, Heafer, AR, October 13, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 13, 1989, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Heafer, AR
- Coordinates: 35.269359, -90.460662 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2694&lon=-90.4607&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34906
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC90LA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34906/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90LA023

## Probable cause

THE INTENTIONAL SWERVE BY THE PILOT DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL.CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE ROUGH AND SOFT TERRAIN CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - ground loop/swerve - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL FOR AN AERIAL SEEDING OPERATION, THE PLT SAID HE VEERED IN ORDER TO AVOID A DIP IN THE ROUGH, NARROW RUNWAY. THE LEFT MAIN GEAR SANK INTO THE SOFT BORDERING TERRAIN, CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO SPIN AROUND AND FLIP INVERTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1012Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1012Z), registered now, S/N 502-0044, built 1989 (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 PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52032, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 502-0044
- Airframe hours: 669
- Engines: P&W PT6A-15G 680 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Nelles Air Service
- Registered owner: Nelles Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: NONE, HEAFER, AR
- Airport: NONE, Heafer Pvt, runway 18, 2,640 × 20 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,600 total, 10 in this make and model, 2,600 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point -0 °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 19891013045049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891013045049A), Oct 13, 1989: Airtrc AT502, Heafer, AR, Substantial damage. Struck a soft spot on narrow rough runway causing aircraft to ground loop and flip inverted.

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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