Accident Overview
On April 18, 2011, at 1930 central daylight time, two Air Tractor aircraft were involved in a midair collision near New Madrid, Missouri. The airplanes, an Air Tractor AT-802A (registration N802KC) and an Air Tractor AT-502B (registration N8516K), were both conducting aerial application operations under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and neither aircraft was operating under a flight plan. The aircraft were being operated by Hampton Flying Services LLC.
Sequence of Events
The pilot of the AT-502B reported that he departed runway 18 and made a left turn to a northeasterly heading. He stated that the airplanes collided head-on at an altitude of 500 feet above the ground. The pilot of the AT-802A does not recall the events surrounding the accident.
Inspection of the accident site by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the collision occurred about 2.5 miles north of the County Memorial Airport (EIW) in New Madrid. The AT-502B had just taken off and was full of chemical. The AT-802A was returning from spraying and had no chemicals on board.
Aircraft Paths and Post-Collision Events
The AT-802A was on a southwesterly heading prior to the collision. After the collision, the airplane cleared a 5-foot-tall fence before contacting the terrain, then traveled about 150 feet before coming to rest in a farm field. The AT-502B was on a northeasterly heading. Its pilot was able to return to the departure airport and land.
Aircraft Damage
Impact marks and wreckage location indicated that the spray boom of the AT-502B contacted the windshield of the AT-802A. The right wheel of the AT-502B contacted the left side of the vertical stabilizer of the AT-802A. Both the right main landing gear and the vertical stabilizer were found in a field near the collision site. The horizontal stabilizer remained attached to the AT-802A.
Pilot Injuries
The commercial pilot flying the AT-802A suffered serious injuries. The commercial pilot flying the AT-502B was not injured.
Communication
There was no known communication between the aircraft.