Summary
On November 20, 2002, a Air Tractor AT-502 (N502RS) was involved in an accident near Weiner, AR. The accident resulted in 1 serious injury, 1 minor injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The loss of engine power due to a compressor stall for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the soft terrain.
On November 20, 2002, at 1400 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502 agricultural airplane, N502RS, registered to and operated by Keller Flying Service Inc., of Weiner, Arkansas, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after a loss of engine power during initial climb after takeoff from Keller Airfield, near Weiner, Arkansas. The commercial pilot sustained serious injuries and his passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
This accident is documented in NTSB report FTW03LA050. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N502RS.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The loss of engine power due to a compressor stall for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the soft terrain.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On November 20, 2002, at 1400 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502 agricultural airplane, N502RS, registered to and operated by Keller Flying Service Inc., of Weiner, Arkansas, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after a loss of engine power during initial climb after takeoff from Keller Airfield, near Weiner, Arkansas. The commercial pilot sustained serious injuries and his passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.
According to information provided in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) and in a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that the engine "developed a compressor stall" just after takeoff while climbing through 120 feet AGL. After the loss of power, the pilot "nosed the aircraft down" to gain airspeed, then attempted to level the airplane by "dumping the flaps". Subsequently, the airplane's landing gear contacted the "soft" ground and "dug in." The airplane then nosed over resulting in structural damage to the fuselage.
The reason for the compressor stall and loss of power could not be determined.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# FTW03LA050