Air Tractor AT-602 Substantially Damaged After Forced Landing Near Bealeton, Va.

An Air Tractor AT-602, registration N602RH, was substantially damaged Friday afternoon after a forced landing near Bealeton, Va. According to preliminary NTSB data, the aircraft was conducting an aerial application flight under Title 14 CFR Part 137 when the propeller blades moved uncommanded into the feather position, causing a total loss of thrust.

Because the aircraft was operating at low altitude, the pilot had limited options and maneuvered toward a short field for an emergency landing. To avoid overrunning the field, the pilot intentionally ground-looped the airplane on touchdown — a maneuver that collapsed the landing gear and caused substantial fuselage damage. Notably, the engine continued to run with the propeller rotating until it was manually shut down, suggesting the malfunction was isolated to the propeller pitch-control system.

Investigation

The NTSB has retained the wreckage for further examination to determine the root cause of the propeller malfunction. The pilot reported no injuries. The incident underscores the elevated risks inherent in agricultural aviation, where pilots routinely operate at low altitudes with little margin for emergency maneuvering. Similar propeller-related events involving the AT-602 platform have drawn regulatory attention in recent months, including a May 30 incident involving aircraft N5111A.