Summary
On June 03, 2004, a Air Tractor AT-502B (N6068H) was involved in an incident near Weldon, AR. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout during approach to landing, which resulted in a midair collision between the two airplanes.
On June 3, 2004, approximately 1800 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502B low-wing single-engine airplane, N5002D, and an Air Tractor AT-502B low-wing single-engine airplane, N6068H, collided during landing at a private airstrip, near Weldon, Arkansas. The first airplane, N5002D, sustained minor damage, and the second airplane, N6068H, sustained substantial damage. Both airplanes were registered to SSE Leasing, LLC, of Newport, Arkansas, and were operated by Weldon Flying Service, LLC, of Newport, Arkansas. Neither commercial pilot sustained any injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and flight plans were not filed for either 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flights.
This incident is documented in NTSB report FTW04LA151. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N6068H.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout during approach to landing, which resulted in a midair collision between the two airplanes.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On June 3, 2004, approximately 1800 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502B low-wing single-engine airplane, N5002D, and an Air Tractor AT-502B low-wing single-engine airplane, N6068H, collided during landing at a private airstrip, near Weldon, Arkansas. The first airplane, N5002D, sustained minor damage, and the second airplane, N6068H, sustained substantial damage. Both airplanes were registered to SSE Leasing, LLC, of Newport, Arkansas, and were operated by Weldon Flying Service, LLC, of Newport, Arkansas. Neither commercial pilot sustained any injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and flight plans were not filed for either 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flights. The local flights for both airplanes departed the private airstrip at an unknown time.
The 20,000-hour pilot of the AT-502B, N5002D, reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that both airplanes were performing an aerial application on a field near the private airstrip where reloading operations were being performed. The pilot stated that take-off's and landings were being performed at a rate of 1 each every 10 minutes.
During approach to landing from the southeast, the pilot observed N6068H slightly lower and approaching the airfield from the south. The pilot further stated due to the altitude and attitude of the airplanes, he did not see the other airplane. Subsequently, both airplanes collided on the south end of the runway. After the collision, the pilot further reported that N5002D pitched up on impact, stalled, and landed upright in the field adjacent to the runway.
The 1,900-hour pilot of the AT-502B, N6068H, reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that he was landing from the south and observed N5002B approaching the airfield from the southeast. The pilot stated that as the airplane touched down, NB5002D "landed on top and cut into [the airplane]."
Examination of N6068H by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed the airplane came to rest inverted. The tail was torn off and both wings were broken. Examination of N5002D revealed that the tips of the propeller blades were torn off.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# FTW04LA151