Preliminary information
On May 1, 2026, at 1230 eastern daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-602, N602RH, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Bealeton, Virginia. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 agricultural flight.
The pilot reported that he was conducting an aerial application flight over a farm field and had completed previous passes uneventfully. During his last pass, the propeller blades moved uncommanded into the feather position, which resulted in a loss of thrust. The airplane was at a low altitude, and the pilot could only maneuver to a short field to make a forced landing. Upon touchdown, the pilot intentionally ground looped the airplane to avoid overrunning the field. The airplane’s landing gear collapsed, and the fuselage was substantially damaged. The airplane’s engine continued to operate with the propeller rotating until it was shut down.
The wreckage was retained for further examination.
Text from the NTSB; a preliminary report can change and names no cause. Open the NTSB docket for ERA26LA195 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 1, 2026
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Bealeton, Virginia
- Nearest airport
- (3VA3)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Air Tractor Inc AT-602
- N-number
- N602RH
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2001
- 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.