Air Tractor INC AT-602 accident near Drew, Mississippi, June 4, 2021
On June 4, 2021 at about 9:25 pm local time, a 1997 Air Tractor INC AT-602, registered N51037, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Drew, Mississippi. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of control during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 4, 2021 · about 9:25 pm local time
- Place
- Drew, Mississippi · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Air Tractor INC AT-602, built 1997 · all AT-602s on the register
- Registration
- N51037 · no longer on the register · serial 602-0464
- 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 stated that the airplane had just been loaded with fertilizer for an aerial application flight and that the fuel tanks were about ¾ full. The last memory he had of the event was the start of the takeoff roll. There were no witnesses to the accident. A ground scar was present along the runway with the left navigation light embedded in the scar. The airplane sustained substantial damage to wings, ailerons, and rudder. Flight control continuity was established from the control stick to the aileron and elevator control surfaces and from the rudder pedals to the rudder. The tailwheel lock was found engaged and a functional test revealed no anomalies. Engine control continuity was established from the power quadrant to the engine and allowed for unrestricted movement of the power lever, propeller control lever, and condition lever. No anomalies or malfunctions were found that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the loss of control during takeoff could not be determined based on the available information.
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 takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 6,500 hours in all; 140 in this make and model; 175 in the last 90 days; 90 in the last 30 days; 6,250 as pilot in command; 600 on instruments
- Last flight review: March 24, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,246.1 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 1, 2020; 174 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 12,500 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-60AG (turboprop); 13,511 hours total
- Operator: Boyle Flying Service INC
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 2:15 pm from KRNV, 7 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KRNV 041915Z AUTO 11004KT 10SM CLR 29/16 A3002 RMK AO2 T02940155
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on August 25, 2022. 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, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Examination Summary | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Photo Array | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N51037 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.