Incident Overview
On June 14, 2024, about 0840 central daylight time, two Air Tractor AT-502B agricultural aircraft, registration N2032K and N8525V, were involved in a midair collision near Whiteface, Texas. Both airplanes were operating under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 for agricultural flights. N2032K sustained substantial damage and the pilot sustained serious injuries. N8525V sustained substantial damage and the pilot was fatally injured.
Operational Plan
According to the pilot of N2032K, the two pilots coordinated a plan for the spray operations. The pilot of N2032K intended to spray the "corners" of the field (blue-shaded areas in Figure 1 of the source), while the pilot of N8525V intended to spray the "center circle" (green-shaded area). It was agreed that N2032K would be the "high man" and N8525V the "low man" during the operations.
Collision Sequence
The pilot of N2032K reported that he was making a spray pass from west to east, and the pilot of N8525V was making a pass from north to south. He stated that he observed N8525V begin to climb into his flight path. In response, he "yanked and banked to the right" in an attempt to avoid the collision.
Wreckage Distribution
Debris from both airplanes was scattered across a 700-foot by 400-foot area on a 160° heading, covering the cotton field being sprayed and an adjacent cotton field to the south. Debris from N2032K's right wing was found at the beginning of the debris field. Black transfer marks were noted on the right composite wing tip pieces from N2032K. Portions of N8525V's right ring were found among the main wreckage of N2032K.
Wreckage of N8525V
The wreckage of N8525V was found inverted in a field south of the area where the airplanes were spraying. A ground scar containing a propeller blade was located about 20 feet north of the main wreckage. A shallow ground scar leading to the fuselage was found north of the wreckage. The wreckage came to rest on a true heading of 310°. A section of the aft fuselage was separated and faced upward, and the top of the vertical stabilizer was about 30 feet south of the main wreckage. The engine displayed significant torsional twisting. Investigators confirmed flight control continuity through impact separations.
Wreckage of N2032K
The wreckage of N2032K was found in the same field as N8525V, on its right side. A ground scar containing wingtip fragments and pieces of the left navigation light was found about 42 feet northwest of the main wreckage. Another ground scar containing a separated propeller blade and the propeller was found near the nacelle. The wreckage was located about 400 feet east of N8525V and came to rest on a true heading of 036°. The engine displayed significant torsional twisting and was bent in a U shape; two compressor hubs were found liberated from the engine next to the main wreckage. Investigators confirmed flight control continuity through impact separations.
Data Recovery
Investigators removed and retained a SATLOC G4 CPU from N8525V and a SATLOC Falcon CPU from N2032K. Both CPUs were sent to the National Transportation Safety Board Recorders Lab for data recovery.
Post-Accident Actions
Both aircraft were recovered and transported to a secure location for further examination.