Air Tractor AT502 accident near Philipp, Mississippi, August 16, 2017
On August 16, 2017 at about 11:13 am local time, a 1994 Air Tractor AT502, registered N6082B, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Philipp, Mississippi. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person was killed. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper decision to attempt a visual flight rules flight in instrument meteorological conditions, below a low overcast ceiling, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 16, 2017 · about 11:13 am local time
- Place
- Philipp, Mississippi · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Air Tractor AT502 B, built 1994
- Registration
- N6082B · no longer on the register · serial 502B-0274
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the operator, the airplane was supposed to spray a cornfield located about 5 miles southeast of the airstrip. The operator added that the clouds were low at the time of departure but that the forward visibility was good. Review of data from a GPS recovered from the wreckage revealed that for the approximate 2-minute accident flight, the airplane flew southeast at GPS altitudes between 250 to 350 ft. The last recorded data point was just before a tree line, indicating a GPS altitude of 315 ft and a groundspeed of 123 knots. The airplane subsequently struck the trees and an approximate 50-foot debris path at a descending angle was oriented about a magnetic course of 130°. The recorded weather at an airport located about 18 miles southeast of the accident site, about 30 minutes after the accident, included an overcast ceiling at 400 ft. There was no record of the pilot receiving a weather briefing from flight service. Examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. It is likely that the pilot attempted to maintain visual flight and stay below the clouds, which left him little room to maneuver and resulted in impact with trees and terrain. Review of medical information did not identify any significant medical conditions for the 28-year-old pilot. The toxicology identified that the pilot had used a sedating antihistamine, diphenhydramine, at some point before the accident but the blood level was too low to quantify; it is unlikely that effects from the pilot's use of this drug contributed to his decision to attempt flight in instrument conditions. While the autopsy report is unavailable, there is nothing to suggest it would identify further relevant conditions. Overall, the limited available medical evidence does not indicate a medical condition or use of medication contributed to this accident.
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
- VFR encounter with IMC during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Ceiling/visibility/precip › Below VFR minima › Decision related to condition
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Ceiling/visibility/precip › Clouds › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,800 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 11,409 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 30, 2017; 288 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 9,400 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34 (turboprop); 11,409 hours total
- Operator: Midway-Air
The flight
- Departed from: PVT Minter City MS at 11:11 am
- Destination: PVT Minter City MS
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: dawn
- Wind: from 210° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 400 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 11:41 am from GWO, 18 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
7 documents, released by the NTSB on August 5, 2020. 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 | Law Enforcement Officer Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Weather Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Photo Array | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Medical Factual Report | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Global Positioning System Device - Specialist's Factual Report | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Global Positioning System Device - Specialist's Factual Report - Attachment 1 | data file | Download |
| 7 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | 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.
Other NTSB records under N6082B 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.