Accident Overview
On May 25, 2012, at 0645 central daylight time, a ground collision occurred between two agricultural aircraft at a private airstrip near Alicia, Arkansas. An Air Tractor AT-802A, registration N389LA, was preparing to depart from a taxiway when it was struck by a Thrush S2RHG-T65, registration N40475, which was in its landing roll. Neither pilot was injured. Both aircraft were owned and operated by J and R Flying Service LLC under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 for agricultural operations. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plans were filed.
Sequence of Events
The Thrush had departed the airstrip at 0630 and was returning to land. During touchdown, the pilot reported that the aircraft was traveling too fast. He attempted a go-around, but the engine did not spool back up in time to successfully execute the go-around. He then decided to abort the go-around and applied both brakes, also placing the propeller into reverse. The aircraft began to veer off the left side of the runway. The pilot applied right rudder and right brake in an effort to regain directional control, but these actions were unsuccessful. The Thrush struck the Air Tractor, which was positioned approximately 50 to 75 feet off the runway. The propeller of the Thrush hit the left wing of the Air Tractor, and the Air Tractor's propeller hit the left wing of the Thrush.
Aftermath
The Air Tractor sustained substantial damage in the collision. The pilot of the Thrush reported that there was no preimpact mechanical malfunction or system failure with his aircraft. Neither pilot was injured.