NTSB Factual Report

On June 18, 2001, at 2000 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502B agricultural airplane, N6082B, was substantially damaged following an encounter with wake turbulence during initial takeoff climb near Newport, Arkansas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Ellis Flying Service, Inc., of Newport, Arkansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight was departing at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated that he was attempting to takeoff to the south from a grass airstrip behind another AT-502B, when shortly after rotation, his airplane encountered wake turbulence. The pilot turned the airplane to the left to "try and get out of it." The airplane's left wing and left main landing gear struck the ground, the airplane bounced on its right wing, and landed on its empennage. Subsequently, the airplane came to rest upright in a bean field. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented if he had waited "about one more minute" before taking off.

The pilot reported that the winds were calm at the time of the accident.

According to the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, both wings and the empennage sustained structural damage.

NTSB Probable Cause

the loss of control during takeoff initial climb as a result of encountering wake turbulence due to the pilot's failure to recognize the hazard and delay the takeoff.