Thursday, August 17, 2017

Visual Flight Rules Encounter with Instrument Meteorological Conditions: Air Tractor AT-502B, N6082B; fatal accident occurred August 16, 2017 in Philipp, Tallahatchie County, Mississippi

The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entities:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Jackson, Mississippi   
Air Tractor; Olney, Texas

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf


Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms


http://registry.faa.gov/N6082B


Location: Philipp, MS
Accident Number: ERA17FA279
Date & Time: 08/16/2017, 0613 CDT
Registration: N6082B
Aircraft: AIR TRACTOR AT502
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: VFR encounter with IMC
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 137: Agricultural

On August 16, 2017, at 0613 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502B, N6082B, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Philipp, Mississippi. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight.

A Hemisphere GPS MD M3 Bantam unit was recovered from the wreckage and data were successfully downloaded and plotted. Review of the data for the approximate 2-minute flight revealed that the airplane flew southeast at GPS altitudes between 250 to 350 ft. The last recorded data point was at 0613:10, indicating a GPS altitude of 315 ft and a groundspeed of 123 knots; the point was just before a tree line.

According to the operator, the airplane was supposed to spray a cornfield located about 5 miles southeast of the airstrip. When the airplane did not return, a search was initiated, and the wreckage was located in wooded terrain about 3 miles southeast of the airstrip at 0930 (about 1/2 mile south of the last data point). The operator added that the clouds were low at the time of departure but that the forward visibility was good.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial
Age: 28, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Single
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: Yes
Medical Certification: Class 2 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 03/20/2017
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: 1800 hours (Total, all aircraft) 

The pilot's logbook was not recovered. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: AIR TRACTOR
Registration: N6082B
Model/Series: AT502 B
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1994
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate:Restricted 
Serial Number: 502B-0274
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 1
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 03/30/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 9400 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 288 Hours
Engines: 1 Turbo Prop
Airframe Total Time: 11409 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Pratt & Whitney
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series: PT6A-34
Registered Owner: MIDWAY AIR SERVICE INC
Rated Power: 750 hp
Operator: MIDWAY-AIR
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Agricultural Aircraft (137)
Operator Does Business As:
Operator Designator Code: JY0G

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Instrument Conditions
Condition of Light: Dawn
Observation Facility, Elevation: GWO, 162 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 18 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 0641 CDT
Direction from Accident Site: 152°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility:  6 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 400 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 5 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 210°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.02 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 24°C / 23°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: Mist; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Minter City, MS (PVT)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Minter City, MS (PVT)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 0611 CDT
Type of Airspace: 

There was no record of the pilot receiving a weather briefing from flight service. 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire:None 
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion:None 
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 33.757222, -90.258889 

An approximate 50-ft debris path was observed oriented about a magnetic course of 130°. The debris path began with freshly cut tree branches at a descending angle and ended with the main wreckage, which was also oriented about 130° magnetic. The main wreckage came to rest upright and a strong odor of fuel was present at the accident site. An impression of the left wing leading edge was observed in the ground near where the left wing came to rest, consistent with a nose-down vertical descent. Both wings were partially separated from the airframe. The flaps and ailerons remained attached to both wings, and both wings exhibited crushing damage to the leading edges.

The vertical stabilizer and rudder remained attached, and the horizontal stabilizer and elevator were partially separated. Rudder control continuity was confirmed from the rudder through cables to the rudder pedals in the cockpit. Elevator control continuity was confirmed from the elevator through push-pull tubes to the cockpit area, where the push-pull tubes had separated consistent with impact. Aileron control continuity was confirmed from both ailerons to their respective wing root, where the push-pull tubes had separated consistent with impact. The elevator trim was connected by push-pull tubes to the cockpit area and found in the full nose-down position; however, the preimpact position of the elevator trim could not be determined.

The cockpit was partially crushed, and the four-point restraint system remained intact except the right shoulder harness, which separated consistent with overload. The power lever and propeller control were found in the full forward position and the fuel valve was in the on position. Measurement of the flap actuator corresponded to a flap-retracted position. The altimeter indicated a negative number and 30.00 was displayed in the Kollsman window.

The propeller hub separated from the engine, but all three blades remained attached to the hub. One blade was bent aft with its tip separated and exhibited leading edge gouging and chordwise scratching. Another blade exhibited s-bending and the third blade was bent aft. The propeller shaft exhibited a torsional separation. Partial teardown and examination of the engine revealed that the power turbine and compressor turbine exhibited rotational scoring consistent with contact from the power turbine vane and baffle. The first stage compressor blades exhibited tip rollover and some of the blades were also bent opposite the direction of rotation. Fuel was recovered from the fuel filter and fuel line to the flow divider. The fuel was consistent in odor to Jet A and absent of visible contamination. 

Medical And Pathological Information

An autopsy was performed by the Mississippi Crime Lab, Jackson, Mississippi. Multiple attempts were made to obtain the autopsy report. However, as of April 17, 2020, the autopsy report had not yet been issued.

Toxicology testing performed by the FAA's Forensic Science Laboratory identified diphenhydramine in heart blood and liver in amounts too low to quantify.






NTSB Identification: ERA17FA279
14 CFR Part 137: Agricultural
Accident occurred Wednesday, August 16, 2017 in Philipp, MS
Aircraft: AIR TRACTOR AT502, registration: N6082B
Injuries: 1 Fatal.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

On August 16, 2017, about 0620 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502B, N6082B, was substantially damaged when it impacted wooded terrain near Philipp, Mississippi. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated by Midway Air Service as an aerial application flight conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the planned local flight that departed from a private airstrip in Minter City, Mississippi, about 0610.

According to the operator, the airplane was supposed to spray a cornfield located about 5 miles southeast of the airstrip. When the airplane did not return, a search was initiated and the wreckage was located in wooded terrain about 3 miles southeast of the airstrip at 0930.

An approximate 50-foot debris path was observed oriented about a magnetic course of 130°. The debris path began with freshly cut tree branches at a descending angle and ended with the main wreckage, which was also oriented about 130° magnetic. The main wreckage came to rest upright and a strong odor of fuel was present at the accident site. An impression of the left wing leading edge was observed in the ground near the left wing, consistent with a nose-down vertical descent. Both wings were partially separated from the airframe. The flaps and ailerons remained attached to both wings and both wings exhibited crushing damage to the leading edges.

The vertical stabilizer and rudder remained attached while the horizontal stabilizer and elevator were partially separated. Rudder control continuity was confirmed from the rudder through cables to the rudder pedals in the cockpit. Elevator control continuity was confirmed from the elevator through push-pull tubes to the cockpit area, where the push-pull tubes separated consistent with impact. Aileron control continuity was confirmed from both ailerons to their respective wing root, where the push-pull tubes separated consistent with impact. The elevator trim was connected by push-pull tubes and found in the full nose-down position; however, the preimpact position of the elevator trim could not be determined.

The cockpit was partially crushed and the four-point restraint system remained intact, with the exception of the right shoulder harness, which separated consistent with overload. The power lever and propeller control were found in the full forward position and the fuel valve was in the on position. Measurement of the flap actuator corresponded to a flaps retracted position. The altimeter indicated a negative number and 30.00 was displayed in the Kollsman window.

The propeller hub separated from the engine, but all three blades remained attached to the hub. One blade was bent aft with its tip separated and exhibited leading edge gouging and chordwise scratching. Another blade exhibited s-bending and the third blade was bent aft. The propeller shaft exhibited a torsional separation. Partial teardown and examination of the engine revealed that the power turbine and compressor turbine exhibited rotational scoring consistent with contact from the power turbine vane and baffle. The first stage compressor blades exhibited tip rollover and some of the blades were also bent opposite the direction of rotation. Fuel was recovered from the fuel filter and fuel line to the flow divider. The fuel was consistent in odor to Jet A and absent of visible contamination.

The pilot, held a commercial pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land. He did not possess an instrument rating. His most recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) second-class medical certificate was issued on March 30, 2017. At that time, he reported a total flight experience of 1,800 hours.

The single-seat, low-wing, fixed tailwheel airplane was manufactured in 1994 and issued an FAA restricted category airworthiness certificate. It was powered by a Pratt and Whitney PT6A-34, 783-shaft horsepower engine, equipped with a three-blade Hartzell propeller. Its most recent annual inspection was completed on March 30, 2017. At that time, the airframe and engine had accumulated 11,409 hours since new. The airplane had flown an additional 288.6 hours from the time of the annual inspection, until the accident.

Greenwood-Leflore Airport (GWO), Greenwood, Mississippi was located about 18 miles southeast of the accident site. The recorded weather at GWO, at 0641, was: wind from 210° at 5 knots, visibility 6 statute miles in mist; overcast ceiling at 400 ft; temperature 24° C; dew point 23° C, altimeter 30.02 inches of mercury.

A GPS unit was recovered from the wreckage and retained for further examination.


Michael Horton wasn’t just a valued employee to crop-duster operator Timmy Jones. He was like a member of the family.


Brandon Michael Horton
October 16, 1988 - August 16, 2017

Services for Michael Horton will be held Monday, August 21, 2017 2:00 PM at North Greenwood Baptist Church in Greenwood, MS.

Michael, age 28, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, August 16, 2017.

He was born on October 16, 1988 in Cleveland, MS, to Bo Horton and Sheila Ward and lived in Schlater, MS.  He graduated from Indianola Academy in 2008 and went on to attend MS Delta Community College, Delta State University, and Flying Tiger Flying School in Bastrop, LA. He was employed by Timmy Jones Flying Service in Minter City. He was a member of North Greenwood Baptist Church. Michael loved to hunt and was a dear friend to many. He will surely be missed by all who loved him.

He is survived by his father, Bo (Cindy) Horton of Ruleville, MS; mother, Sheila Ward of Augusta, GA;  sisters, Jessica Broussard of Cleveland, MS, and Desiree  Wallace of Augusta, GA; soul mate, Allyson Burgess of Schlater, MS; grandfathers, Lamar Ward and Joe Morris; grandmothers, Beverly Hammond, Dorothy Horton, and Cora Morris; great grandmother, Lyda Hall; pets, Pilot and Oakley; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.


Visitation will be held on Monday, August 21, 2017 from 11:00 AM till service time at North Greenwood Baptist Church. Dr. Jim Phillips will officiate the services. Pallbearers will be Timmy Jones, Barrett Johnson, Wes Redden, Bill Moorehead, Tyler Kirk, and Chad Smith. Honorary Pallbearer will be Mike Youngblood. Burial will be in Lehrton Cemetery in Ruleville following the services.


Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Little Rock, Arkansas

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Registered Owner: Ellis Flying Service Inc
Operator: Ellis Flying Service Inc

NTSB Identification: FTW01LA147
The docket is stored in the Docket Management System (DMS). Please contact Records Management Division
Accident occurred Monday, June 18, 2001 in Newport, AR
Probable Cause Approval Date: 09/27/2001
Aircraft: Air Tractor AT-502B, registration: N6082B
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.

NTSB investigators may have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

During takeoff from a grass airstrip behind another agricultural airplane of the same type, the agricultural airplane encountered wake turbulence. The pilot turned the airplane to the left to "try and get out of it." The airplane's left wing and left main landing gear struck the ground, the airplane bounced on its right wing, and landed on its empennage. Subsequently, the airplane came to rest upright in a field. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented if he had waited "about one more minute" before taking off.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
the loss of control during takeoff initial climb as a result of encountering wake turbulence due to the pilot's failure to recognize the hazard and delay the takeoff.

On June 18, 2001, at 2000 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502B agricultural airplane, N6082B, was substantially damaged following an encounter with wake turbulence during initial takeoff climb near Newport, Arkansas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Ellis Flying Service, Inc., of Newport, Arkansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight was departing at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated that he was attempting to takeoff to the south from a grass airstrip behind another AT-502B, when shortly after rotation, his airplane encountered wake turbulence. The pilot turned the airplane to the left to "try and get out of it." The airplane's left wing and left main landing gear struck the ground, the airplane bounced on its right wing, and landed on its empennage. Subsequently, the airplane came to rest upright in a bean field. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented if he had waited "about one more minute" before taking off. 

The pilot reported that the winds were calm at the time of the accident.

According to the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, both wings and the empennage sustained structural damage.

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