Pilot Debrief

Air Tractor Inc. AT-802A near Portland, AR — 2022-07-26

Final reportERA22FA338
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Date
2022-07-26
Location
Portland, AR, USA
Aircraft
Air Tractor Inc. AT-802A
Registration
N749LA
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The failure of both pilots to see and avoid the other airplane during aerial application and ferry operations.

NTSB narrative

The pilot of an Air Tractor AT-802A was applying chemical on the first pass over a cotton field in a southerly direction. Simultaneously, an AT-802 was ferrying in a southeasterly direction, between 400 and 500 ft above the ground. As the AT-802A pilot completed his pass and climbed to reverse the direction of turn, his airplane collided with the ferrying AT-802 passing overhead. The AT-802A continued in a left turn and crashed into a soybean field, killing the pilot. The AT-802 began to spin and descended vertically to the ground; its pilot was seriously injured. The surviving pilot of the AT-802 later reported that he was unaware that the other pilot was operating in the area. The two pilots were not communicating by radio. Although there may have been some sun glare that could have affected the AT-802A pilot’s visibility, the investigation revealed that both pilots were in positions to see the other airplane in ample time to avoid a collision. An examination of both wreckages did not reveal evidence of a preexisting malfunction or failure that would have prevented normal operation of the either airplane. Although the Professional Aerial Applicator’s Support System (PAASS) slogan, “Ferry above five (hundred) and stay alive” was known to the AT-802 pilot and was commonly known in the aerial application industry, this investigation revealed that both pilots consistently climbed above 500 ft agl during their reverse-direction turns while applying chemical. If the pilot of the AT-802 had flown his airplane at or above 1,000 ft agl, the collision would likely have been avoided.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
AT-802A pilot could have maintained higher altitude to avoid collision.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ADS-B / radar
  • Photos
  • 29 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents29

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