Air Tractor AT-502B and Air Tractor AT-502B mid-air collision near Weldon, Arkansas, June 3, 2004
On June 3, 2004 at about 11:00 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Air Tractor AT-502B (N5002D) and Air Tractor AT-502B (N6068H), were involved in a mid-air collision near Weldon, Arkansas (Weldone Flying Service airport). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout during approach to landing, which resulted in a midair collision between the two airplanes.
The other pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout during approach to landing, which resulted in a midair collision between the two airplanes.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 3, 2004 · about 11:00 pm local time
- Place
- Weldon, Arkansas · Weldone Flying Service · map
- Type
- Accident · mid-air collision
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Air Tractor AT-502B
- Registration
- N5002D · no longer on the register · serial 502B-0393
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
- Aircraft 2
- Air Tractor AT-502B
- Registration
- N6068H · no longer on the register · serial 502B-0276
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative for the Air Tractor AT-502B final · quoted from the NTSB record
While on short final approach to landing at an uncontrolled private airstrip, the low-wing AT-502B collided with a low-wing AT-502B that was touching down on the runway. The 1,900-hour pilot of the airplane that was touching down reported that the other airplane "landed on top" and cut into his airplane. The 20,000-hour pilot of the other AT-502B reported that due to the altitude and attitude of the airplanes, he did not see the other 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 NTSB's narrative for the Air Tractor AT-502B final · quoted from the NTSB record
While on short final approach to landing at an uncontrolled private airstrip, the low-wing AT-502B collided with a low-wing AT-502B that was touching down on the runway. The 1,900-hour pilot of the airplane that was touching down reported that the other airplane "landed on top" and cut into his airplane. The 20,000-hour pilot of the other AT-502B reported that due to the altitude and attitude of the airplanes, he did not see the other 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 for the Air Tractor AT-502B from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 20,000 hours in all; 1,500 in this make and model; 200 in the last 90 days; 75 in the last 30 days; 2,000 as pilot in command; 4,000 on instruments
- Last flight review: September 13, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,718 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 16, 2004; 53 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 8,000 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pratt & Whitney PT6-3A (turboprop); 0 hours total
- Operator: Weldon Flying Service, LLC
The flight
- Departed from: Weldon AR
- Destination: Weldon AR
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 2,365 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
The factual record for the Air Tractor AT-502B from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Crew member
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,900 hours in all; 150 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 8,000 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pratt & Whitney PT6-3A (turboprop); 0 hours total
- Operator: Weldon Flying Service, LLC
The flight
- Departed from: Weldon AR
- Destination: Weldon AR
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 2,365 ft by 50 ft
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.