Casualties unknown

1994-04-13: Air Tractor AT-502 (N9086V) — Hughes, AR

Hughes, AR, US

On April 13, 1994, an Air Tractor AT-502 (registration N9086V) was involved in an aviation accident near Hughes, AR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN TERRAIN CLEARANCE FOR UNDETERMINED REASON. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

An agricultural pilot aborted a fertilizer pass over a field, then resumed the same row. Pronounced elevator fluctuations were observed before the aircraft descended near willow trees, turned, and impacted the ground nose-down.

Narrative

During an agricultural operation, the pilot was applying fertilizer over a field. On the fifth pass, the pilot broke off the pass at midfield for an unknown reason. The pilot then lined up again on the same row that had been previously abandoned and continued the application normally until reaching the midfield point.

At that location, the flagman observed pronounced up-and-down fluctuations of the elevators. The airplane descended to the point where the flagman ducked out of the airplane's path. The pilot discontinued the fertilizer application as the airplane nearly impacted willow trees at the end of the field.

Witnesses observed the airplane executing a turn to reverse direction. During the turn, the airplane impacted the ground in a nose-down attitude while in a right turn.

Findings

Toxicological testing was negative, as were autopsy findings. No other factual details regarding the aircraft, operator, or environmental conditions were provided in the source.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001206X01089. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.