What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1998-03-19 involved an Air Tractor AT-502, registration N10035, at Mcgehee, AR.

Agricultural Airplane Crashes After Fog-Induced Loss of Control (N10035)

On March 19, 1998, an Air Tractor AT-502 (registration N10035) was involved in an aviation accident near Mcgehee, AR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadvertent flight into adverse weather conditions resulting in the loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Factors were the fog and low ceiling, and the inadequate flight instruments available to the pilot. 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 API Editorial standards

An instrument-rated commercial pilot lost control of a turbine-powered agricultural airplane while attempting to return to base in heavy fog. The aircraft impacted trees and terrain in a nose-low attitude at high speed. No pre-impact anomalies were found.

Accident Details

An instrument-rated commercial pilot lost control of a turbine-powered agricultural airplane while attempting to return to his home base airstrip after heavy fog formed in the early dawn. The accident occurred during a flight in a 1988 model airplane equipped with only an altimeter, an airspeed indicator, and a slip indicator.

Impact and Evidence

Physical evidence at the accident site indicates that the airplane impacted trees and terrain in a nose-low attitude while in a right turn, at a high rate of speed. No eyewitnesses reported seeing the accident.

Aircraft Examination

Examination of the wreckage at the accident site and a review of the aircraft maintenance records did not disclose any anomalies or evidence of pre-impact malfunction that could have prevented normal operations. The airplane was a turbine-powered model from 1988, designed for agricultural use.

Pilot Information

The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating. No further details about the pilot's experience or medical history were provided in the investigation.

Spatial disorientation

1998-03-19: Air Tractor AT-502 (N10035) — Mcgehee, AR