On 25 Jul 2017, an AIR TRACTOR INC AT 802 A was involved in an aviation accident near Trumann, AR. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s improper decision to continue flight in deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in collision with the ground. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A tailwheel-equipped airplane conducting an aerial application flight impacted terrain after rapidly decreasing visibility during a turn, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage.
Accident Details
The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he departed his private field for an aerial application flight. After flying northwest for about 5 miles, he approached the field he intended to spray when visibility rapidly decreased. He initiated a 180-degree turn, but visibility dropped to zero, and the airplane subsequently impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Weather Information
An automated weather observation system located approximately 13 nautical miles from the accident site reported, about 11 minutes prior to the accident, wind from 180° at 5 knots and an overcast cloud ceiling at 300 ft.