Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to attain the proper touchdown point, which resulted in a landing undershoot.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was returning from the completion of his 28th aerial application flight on the day of the accident. He stated that he misjudged the touchdown point for the landing and landed short of the dirt runway, striking a levee. He said that he had been working a full schedule all week and there was no doubt that he was “somewhat” tired, but he believed that a wind change “had more to do with the accident than any other factor.”
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN12LA310 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 19, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Humnoke, Arkansas
- Nearest airport
- Brown Farm Dirt Strip (PVT)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Air Tractor AT-602
- N-number
- N85239
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 137 (agricultural)
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial application
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.