Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary CEN12LA323

Alicia, AR, USA

Aircraft #1

N40475

THRUSH AIRCRAFT INC S2RHG-T65

Aircraft #2

N389LA

AIR TRACTOR INC AT-802A

Analysis

Following a loss of control during the landing roll, a Thrush agricultural airplane collided with an Air Tractor agricultural airplane that was parked about 50 to 75 feet off the runway with its engine operating waiting to takeoff. The pilot of the Thrush reported that the airplane was traveling too fast during touchdown so he attempted a go-around then realized that the engine would not respond quickly enough, and he aborted the go-around. He applied both brakes and put the propeller into reverse; however, the airplane started to veer off the left side of the runway. He applied right rudder and right brake in an attempt to regain directional control but was unsuccessful and hit the Air Tractor. The Thrush pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or system failures of the Thrush.

Factual Information

On May 25, 2012, at 0645 central daylight time, a Thrush S2RHG-T65, N40475, sustained substantial damage when it collided with an Air Tractor AT-802A, N389LA, after it lost directional control during landing roll at a private airstrip near Alicia, Arkansas. The Thrush impacted the Air Tractor which was on the taxiway preparing to depart from the private airstrip. Neither pilot was injured. The Thrush and the Air Tractor were owned and operated by J and R Flying Service LLC under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 for agricultural operations. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plans were filed. The Thrush departed the airstrip at 0630 and was returning to land when it impacted the Air Tractor. The pilot of the Thrush reported that the airplane was traveling too fast during touchdown so he attempted a go-around. He reported that the engine would not “spool back up in time” to make a successful go-around, so he decided to abort the go-around. He applied both brakes and put the propeller into reverse, however, the airplane started to veer off the left side of the runway. He applied right rudder and right brake to regain directional control but was unsuccessful. The Thrush hit the Air Tractor that was about 50 to 75 feet off the runway. The propeller of the Thrush hit the left wing of the Air Tractor, and the Air Tractor’s propeller hit the Thrush’s left wing. The pilot reported that there was no preimpact mechanical malfunction or system failure of the Thrush.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot of the Thrush did not execute a go-around prior to landing, which resulted in excessive ground speed after touchdown, and his subsequent loss of directional control, which resulted in a collision with the Air Tractor.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

Get all the details on your iPhone or iPad with:

Aviation Accidents App

In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports