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NTSB Report

July 21, 1999 · Air Tractor AT-502B · N6073U

Marvel, AR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 21, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Marvel, AR
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT-502B
Tail Number
N6073U
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW99LA196

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.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to attain the proper takeoff airspeed.

Full 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.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 CDT
Nearest AirportPhillips Co. Flying Serv. (1nm N)
Runway36
Runway Length2560 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAir Tractor AT-502B
Tail NumberN6073U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6-34AG · Turboprop · 750
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 23 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind225° @ 2 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data