Air Tractor INC AT 602 accident near Pine Bluff, Arkansas, August 26, 2015
On August 26, 2015 at about 6:45 pm local time, a 2013 Air Tractor INC AT 602, registered N3026R, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Pine Bluff, Arkansas. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain during an aerial application flight.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 26, 2015 · about 6:45 pm local time
- Place
- Pine Bluff, Arkansas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Air Tractor INC AT 602, built 2013 · all AT 602s on the register
- Registration
- N3026R · no longer on the register · serial 602-1226
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he was lining up the airplane for the last spray run of the field but that he had no recollection of the accident. An examination of the wreckage site revealed that the airplane was operating at high speed in a wings-level attitude when it impacted terrain. The airplane traveled more than 200 yards following the initial impact before coming to rest inverted in the field. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions, and the operator reported that there was no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 7,695 hours in all; 1,420 in this make and model; 325 in the last 90 days; 100 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: August 13, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,420 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, October 14, 2014
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Operator: Farm Brothers Flyers A LLC
The flight
- Departed from: Ladd AR at 6:00 pm
- Destination: Ladd AR
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 350° at 8 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from PBF
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on September 24, 2015. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Conversation | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.