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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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October 13, 1989 · Air Tractor AT-502 · N1012Z

Heafer, AR

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 13, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Heafer, AR
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT-502
Tail Number
N1012Z
Operator
Nelles Air Service
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC90LA023

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.

NTSB Probable Cause

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

Full Narrative

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.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 CDT
Nearest AirportHeafer Pvt (0nm N)
Runway18
Runway Length2640 ft
Runway Width20 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAir Tractor AT-502
Tail NumberN1012Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorNelles Air Service
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6A-15G · Turboprop · 680
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 25 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 5 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data