Weldon, AR, USA
N5002D
Air Tractor AT-502B
N6068H
Air Tractor AT-502B
While on short final approach to landing at an uncontrolled private airstrip, the low-wing AT-502B collided with a low-wing AT-502B that was touching down on the runway. The 1,900-hour pilot of the airplane that was touching down reported that the other airplane "landed on top" and cut into his airplane. The 20,000-hour pilot of the other AT-502B reported that due to the altitude and attitude of the airplanes, he did not see the other airplane.
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.
The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout during approach to landing, which resulted in a midair collision between the two airplanes.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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