Pilot Debrief

AIR TRACTOR INC AT 602 near Cash, AR — 2017-07-08

Final reportCEN17FA259
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Date
2017-07-08
Location
Cash, AR, USA
Aircraft
AIR TRACTOR INC AT 602
Registration
N4257R
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The pilot's incapacitation due to a cardiac event, which resulted in a loss of airplane control.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot was conducting his sixth agricultural load application of the day. Witnesses observed the airplane make a low-altitude turn and subsequently enter a spin with a nose-low attitude . The airplane subsequently impacted a rice field adjacent to the field being treated. Postaccident examination of the airframe, engine, and propeller revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot's autopsy revealed that he had severe coronary artery disease with evidence of associated heart muscle injury. No evidence was found indicating that the pilot was aware of his health issues. The coronary artery disease increased the pilot's risk of a cardiac event, which would have resulted in shortness of breath, dizziness, lightheadedness, or an irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia) with decreased cardiac output and loss of consciousness. The combination of the normal stress associated with low-altitude maneuvering and decreased cardiac output likely resulted in a sudden decrease of blood flow to the brain and the pilot's incapacitation, which resulted in his loss of airplane control.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided low-altitude turn leading to spin.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • FDR / data
  • Photos
  • 8 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents8

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