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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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June 17, 2020 · Air Tractor AT402 · N1532H

Pine Bluff, AR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 17, 2020
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Pine Bluff, AR
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT402 (2019)
Tail Number
N1532H
Operator
Farm Brothers Flyers A
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN20LA234

The pilot reported that, during an aerial application flight, a partial loss of engine power occurred while he was performing the first climbing turn to reverse course. The airplane subsequently descended and impacted terrain in a near vertical attitude. Postaccident examination of the engine and its components revealed no preimpact anomalies. The reason for the partial loss of engine power could not be determined with the available evidence for this accident investigation. Given the airplane’s near-vertical descent, it is likely that the pilot exceeded the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the climbing turn, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and a loss of airplane control from which the pilot was unable to recover.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which led to an aerodynamic stall and a loss of airplane control. Contributing was a partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

Full Narrative

On June 17, 2020, about 1800 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-402 airplane, N1532H, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Pine Bluff, Arkansas. The pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The pilot reported that he was spraying applicant over a field and that a partial loss of engine power occurred when he began the first climbing turn to reverse course and make a second pass. The airplane subsequently descended and impacted terrain in a near-vertical attitude. The pilot also reported that the airplane owner had previously told him that the engine could potentially have 15% less power and had a history of engine problems. Maintenance log entries did not show a history of engine problems. Postaccident examination of the engine and its components discovered multiple signatures of rotational scoring and rubbing. The fuel control unit, fuel pump, starting flow control unit, overspeed governor, and propeller governor showed no preimpact anomalies but did show signs of contamination consistent with the presence of agricultural fertilizer. The engine case and components were damaged by impact.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:00 CDT
Nearest Airport4nm ENE
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAir Tractor AT402
Tail NumberN1532H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorFarm Brothers Flyers A
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney Canada · PT6A-28 · Turboprop
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 21 · Second Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind60° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter30.02 inHg
Observation Time22:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data