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November 20, 2002 · Air Tractor AT-502 · N502RS

Weiner, AR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 20, 2002
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Weiner, AR
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT-502
Tail Number
N502RS
Operator
Keller Flying Service
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW03LA050

Shortly after takeoff, approximately 120 feet AGL, the turboprop agricultural aircraft developed a compressor stall and lost power. The pilot attempted to level the airplane when it impacted soft terrain and nosed over. The reason for the compressor stall and loss of power could not be determined.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power due to a compressor stall for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the soft terrain.

Full Narrative

On November 20, 2002, at 1400 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502 agricultural airplane, N502RS, registered to and operated by Keller Flying Service Inc., of Weiner, Arkansas, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after a loss of engine power during initial climb after takeoff from Keller Airfield, near Weiner, Arkansas. The commercial pilot sustained serious injuries and his passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to information provided in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) and in a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that the engine "developed a compressor stall" just after takeoff while climbing through 120 feet AGL. After the loss of power, the pilot "nosed the aircraft down" to gain airspeed, then attempted to level the airplane by "dumping the flaps". Subsequently, the airplane's landing gear contacted the "soft" ground and "dug in." The airplane then nosed over resulting in structural damage to the fuselage. The reason for the compressor stall and loss of power could not be determined.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 CST
Nearest AirportKeller Airfield (0nm)
Runway18
Runway Length2600 ft
Runway Width88 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAir Tractor AT-502
Tail NumberN502RS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorKeller Flying Service
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney Canada · PT6A-15AG · Turboprop · 680
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 43 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 7 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 39 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data