VFR into IMC · NTSB ERA09LA128
AIR TRACTOR INC AT-602 — Philadelphia, MS
| Date | January 2, 2009 |
| Location | Philadelphia, MS |
| Aircraft | AIR TRACTOR INC AT-602 |
| Purpose of flight | Positioning |
| Conditions | Day · Instrument Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Enroute Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) |
| Pilot age | 48 |
| Pilot total time | 7,500 hrs · High time |
| Time in type | 2,500 hrs |
| Fatalities | 1 |
Probable cause
NTSB findings
- Personnel issues-Task performance-Planning/preparation-Weather planning-Pilot - C
- Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot - C
What happened
The non-instrument rated pilot departed an estimated 20 minutes in trail behind another pilot flying to the same destination airport, for an intended fuel stop, located approximately 239 nautical miles away. The two pilots exchanged two-way communications using text messaging and the first pilot performed a precautionary landing in a field due to adverse weather. At approximately 1155, the pilot sent a text message to his brother advising him he was on the way home and dodging weather. At approximately 1156, the accident pilot was sent a text message asking about the weather to which he replied he could not see. Witnesses near the area reported hearing a sound and the airplane impacted trees. The airplane impacted trees ,then the ground, and was destroyed by impact and the postcrash fire. Inspection of the engine, airframe, and flight controls revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction.