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Accidents · NTSB CEN23LA223 · Final report

Air Tractor INC AT-502B accident near Lake Village, Arkansas, June 3, 2023

On June 3, 2023 at about 4:58 pm local time, a 2009 Air Tractor INC AT-502B, registered N509HB, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Lake Village, Arkansas. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).

The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged

A reported loss of thrust 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 3, 2023 · about 4:58 pm local time
Place
Lake Village, Arkansas · map
Type
Accident
Injuries
No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
Weather
visual conditions (good weather)
Aircraft
Air Tractor INC AT-502B, built 2009 · all AT-502Bs on the register
Registration
N509HB · no longer on the register · serial 502B-2673
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 departing from a 2,100-ft-long airstrip used for agricultural operations. The pilot reported that shortly after departure, the airplane lost thrust, but the engine remained operating. Unable to continue flight with diminished thrust, the pilot started to jettison fertilizer and completed a forced landing to a field, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and both wings. A postaccident engine and propeller examination did not reveal any evidence of a mechanical malfunction or failure consistent with an inability to produce rated engine power. Damage to the propeller blades was consistent with high impact forces while the propeller was rotating at low power at a low blade pitch angle. The airplane’s gross weight and center-of-gravity limits could not be definitively determined. However, based on the available evidence, the airplane weight was estimated to be at or above 8,000 lbs. Takeoff distance data indicated the distance required for takeoff would have been between 1,418 ft and 2,156 ft. The runway used for takeoff was 2,100 ft long. The reason for a loss of engine power as described by the pilot could not be determined as no anomalies were found with the engine.

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

  1. Off-field or emergency landing during landing
  2. Unknown or undetermined during initial climb defining event

The NTSB's findings

  • Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined

Pilot

  • Certificate: commercial pilot
  • Ratings: single-engine land
  • Flight time: 792 hours in all; 424 in this make and model; 275 in the last 90 days; 120 in the last 30 days
  • Last flight review: October 29, 2021
  • Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
  • Seat: sngl
  • Injury: no injuries

The aircraft

  • Airframe total time: 6,379.8 hours
  • Last inspection: annual inspection, November 14, 2022; 146 hours since
  • Maximum gross weight: 9,400 lb
  • Seats: 1
  • Landing gear: fixed
  • Engine: P&W Canada PT6A-34AG (turboprop); 0 hours total
  • Operator: Baylee Company INC

The flight

  • Departed from: Lake Village AR
  • Flight plan: none
  • Runway 18, 2,100 ft by 20 ft

Weather at the time

  • Light: daylight
  • Wind: from 060° at 4 knots
  • Visibility: 10 statute miles
  • Sky: clear
  • Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
  • Altimeter: 29.85 inHg
  • Observation at 11:53 am from KGLH, 18 miles away

Weather report (METAR): KGLH 031653Z 06004KT 10SM CLR 31/19 A2985 RMK AO2 SLP114 T03110189

Injuries

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Flight crew1

Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report

16 documents, released by the NTSB on March 19, 2025. 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.

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.