Pilot Debrief

AIR TRACTOR INC AT-602 near Glendora, MS — 2022-08-19

Final reportERA22FA376
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Date
2022-08-19
Location
Glendora, MS, USA
Aircraft
AIR TRACTOR INC AT-602
Registration
N602PB
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The collision with terrain for reasons that could not be determined.

NTSB narrative

The pilot performed an aerial application flight without anomalies, returned to the departure airstrip, and departed on the second flight. An onboard device that recorded the flight track indicated that while en route, the airplane climbed to a maximum altitude of 575 ft above mean sea level (msl) before it began a slight right turn, and then the data ended. The data stopped recording about 1,650 ft south of the accident location. The airplane struck multiple rows of corn at an angle, rather than perpendicular or parallel to the corn which is common practice in an emergency landing. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation before the accident. The emergency chemical dump handle was in the closed position when examined at the accident site, indicating the pilot likely did not perceive an emergency during the accident sequence. The pilot’s medical records show he had a history of recurrent sinusitis. At his most recent primary care office visit, eight months before the accident, he had an acute sinus infection and complained of dizziness. Toxicology testing detected a therapeutic level of the motion sickness medication meclizine in his blood. While sinusitis can cause dizziness, there is no record of a current infection and his daughter reported he was feeling well. Although a sudden onset of vertigo or dizziness would be impairing, the meclizine should help to alleviate those symptoms. Given the available medical information, the lack of evidence that the pilot perceived an in-flight emergency, and the inconsistent way the airplane landed diagonal to the corn instead of with the rows, this investigation was unable to determine if the pilot’s medical conditions or effects from his use of meclizine contributed to this accident.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen not to fly after experiencing vertiginous dizziness.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 12 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents12

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