Accident Details
On March 15, 2021, about 0940 central daylight time, two Air Tractor AT-602 airplanes, N119KP and N312FB, were involved in a midair collision near Dumas, Arkansas. Both aircraft were operating under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as aerial application flights. Neither pilot sustained injuries. N119KP sustained substantial damage, while N312FB sustained minor damage.
Pilot Statements
According to the pilot of N119KP, he had the landing airstrip in sight and began descending. When the airplane descended through about 300 to 400 ft above ground level, he glanced at his map, then looked back toward the airstrip and felt something strike the left wingtip of his airplane. He landed without further incident. Postaccident photographs showed substantial damage to the left wing.
According to the pilot of N312FB, he was circling over a field to be sprayed at about 400 ft above ground level in a 40° to 45° left bank when he felt the other airplane impact his airplane. He stated the other airplane approached from the “5 o’clock position” and its left wingtip struck his airplane’s right-side step and spray boom. He landed without incident. The airplane sustained minor damage to the fuselage and spray boom.
Damage and Aftermath
Neither pilot reported any mechanical malfunctions. Both pilots worked for different operators, and neither was in radio contact, nor were they required to be, with the other pilot. Neither airplane was equipped, and neither was required to be equipped, with an automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast unit for Part 137 operations.