Air Tractor INC AT 602 accident near Hollis, Oklahoma, April 28, 2017
On April 28, 2017 at about 6:00 pm local time, a 2011 Air Tractor INC AT 602, registered N604RH, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Hollis, Oklahoma (Hollis Municipal airport). It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
An impact with terrain during final approach for reasons that could not be determined because no evidence of an in-flight failure or malfunction was observed.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 28, 2017 · about 6:00 pm local time
- Place
- Hollis, Oklahoma · Hollis Municipal · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Air Tractor INC AT 602 NO SERIES, built 2011 · all AT 602s on the register
- Registration
- N604RH · no longer on the register · serial 602-1202
- 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 was returning from an application flight at the time of the accident. A witness observed the airplane approaching the airport. He noted that an unusual noise came from the airplane but was unsure of the exact nature. Shortly afterward, he heard a loud explosion. Ground-based video footage depicted the airplane entering a rapid descent while on final approach until it went behind an intervening tree line. A plume of smoke rose from that location few seconds later. A postaccident examination of the airframe, engine and propeller did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction. However, an examination of some components was limited due to the extent of the impact damage. Toxicology testing revealed that the pilot had used three sedating drugs: cetirizine, oxycodone, and oxazepam. However, only oxycodone was still present at a level that could have been impairing. Because patients using opioids may develop significant tolerance to the sedating side effects, there is no accepted relationship between blood levels and impairment from these medications. Therefore, the extent of impairment, if any, could not be determined. The reason for the abrupt descent and impact with terrain while on final approach could not be determined because the postaccident examination did not reveal any preimpact anomalies.
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
- Unknown or undetermined during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Personnel issues › Physical › Health/Fitness › Use of medication/drugs › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 14,617 hours in all
- Last flight review: February 21, 2017
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,183.9 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 12, 2017
- Maximum gross weight: 12,500 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-65AG (turboprop); 2,184 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Gray Ag Air
The flight
- Departed from: O35 Hollis OK at 5:00 pm
- Destination: O35 Hollis OK
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 35, 3,008 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 080° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 29.63 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from CDS, 25 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
12 documents, released by the NTSB on March 12, 2019. 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 | Witness Statements | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Ground-based Surveillance Video Footage | AVI file | Download |
| 3 | Video Study | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Airplane Examination Summary | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Maintenance Records - Airframe | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Maintenance Records - Engine | PDF, 16 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Maintenance Records - Propeller | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Airplane Flight Manual - Excerpts | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Air Tractor Service Letter | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 10 | Weather Documentation | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 11 | Toxicological Report | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 12 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 2 pages | 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.
