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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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February 18, 2003 · Air Tractor AT-502B · N61802

Holly Grove, AR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 18, 2003
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Holly Grove, AR
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT-502B
Tail Number
N61802
Operator
Hill Flying Service
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW03LA098

While attempting to takeoff from a 4,500-foot runway, the airplane collided with a threshold light, and overran the departure end of the runway, colliding with a fence post supporting a 10-foot tall airport perimeter fence. The airplane came to rest in an inverted position entangled in the fence. The pilot reported that the engine was producing full takeoff power at the start of his takeoff roll; however, he suspected that the engine power had decayed during the latter part of the takeoff roll, which he was not able to detect in time to abort the takeoff

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to abort the takeoff.

Full Narrative

On February 18, 2003, at 0830 central standard time, an Air Tractor AT-502B turbine powered agricultural airplane, N61802, was substantially damaged upon collision with a fence while attempting to takeoff from runway 15 at the Holly Grove Municipal Airport (2A6), near Holly Grove, Arkansas. The non-instrument rated commercial pilot, sole occupant of the aircraft, sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to Philips County Flying Service, Inc., of Marvell, Arkansas, and was being operated by Hill Flying Service, Inc., of Holly Grove, Arkansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The local aerial application flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported to the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, that the scheduled local aerial application of fertilizer was the first flight of the day. The airplane was topped off with fuel and the hopper was also filled with fertilizer. The pilot stated that he configured the airplane with full flaps for a full-length takeoff from runway 15 (4,500 feet by 50 feet wide). During the takeoff roll, the airplane collided with a threshold light and overran the departure end of the runway. The airplane then impacted a support post for a 10-foot high airport perimeter fence. The airplane came to rest in the inverted position entangled in the fence. There was no fire and no fuel was spilled. The hopper was not compromised. Detailed examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed structural damage to the fuselage and both wings. The empennage remained connected to the fuselage only by the control cables. The propeller remained attached to the engine mounts, and the turbine engine remained attached to the airframe. The last annual inspection for the airframe and the engine was completed on January 29, 2003, at 3,071 aircraft hours, approximately 6 hours prior to the accident. In a telephone interview, the 16,000-hour pilot reported to the NTSB investigator-in-charge that the engine was producing full takeoff power at the start of his takeoff roll; however, he suspected that "the engine power had decayed during the latter part of the takeoff roll, which he was not able to detect in time to abort the flight."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:30 CST
Nearest AirportHolly Grove Municipal Airport (0nm)
Runway15
Runway Length4500 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAir Tractor AT-502B
Tail NumberN61802
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHill Flying Service
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney Canada · PT6A-34AG · Turboprop · 750
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 62 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 5 kt
Visibility4 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point36 C / 30 C
Altimeter30.22 inHg
Observation Time13:35
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data