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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.

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NTSB Report

May 7, 1998 · Air Tractor AT-402 · N91660

Forrest City, AR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 7, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Forrest City, AR
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT-402
Tail Number
N91660
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW98LA205

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.

NTSB 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.

Full 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.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:06 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAir Tractor AT-402
Tail NumberN91660
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6A-27 · Turboprop · 680
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 29 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 7 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 66 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time11:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data