Accident Overview
On May 19, 2012, at 1600 central daylight time, an Air Tractor Inc AT-602, registration N85239, touched down short of runway 36 at a private airstrip near Humnoke, Arkansas. The aircraft was operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an aerial application flight, registered to and operated by County Line Flying Service Inc. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight, which originated from the same airstrip about 1553.
Pilot and Injuries
The pilot, a certificated commercial pilot, was uninjured in the accident. He reported that he had been working a full schedule throughout the week and acknowledged being somewhat tired. On the accident day, he began work around 0630, and the accident flight was his 28th load. He attributed the event primarily to a wind change, stating that he misjudged the touchdown point and landed short of runway 36.
Aircraft Damage
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage as a result of the impact with terrain during the landing attempt.
Runway Details
Runway 36 at the private airstrip is a dry dirt strip, 2,600 feet long and 60 feet wide.