Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

October 3, 1997 · Air Tractor AT-602 · N602GB

Plains, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 3, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Plains, TX
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT-602
Tail Number
N602GB
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW98LA006

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.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper decision to initiate takeoff with a vehicle on the runway.

Full 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.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 CDT
Nearest AirportYoakum County (0nm)
Runway35
Runway Length3960 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAir Tractor AT-602
Tail NumberN602GB
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6A-65AG · Turboprop · 1300
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 31 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 6 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data