NTSB releases report after fatal midair collision involving two planes

ARCO — A study provides caller specifications aft 2 planes collided successful midair successful Butte County past month.

The incident happened connected June 20 adjacent Arco astir 1 p.m. One aviator died, and nan different was taken to a hospital. Both craft progressive were harvest duster-type airplanes. 

NTSB preliminary report

According to a preliminary study from nan National Transportation Safety Board, an Air Tractor AT-802 and an Air Tractor AT-502B were “destroyed” erstwhile they were progressive successful a midair collision. 

The aviator of nan AT-802 was earnestly injured, and nan aviator of nan AT-502B was killed. He was identified arsenic Sage Teichert, 43, of Osgood. 

RELATED | One aviator dead, different transported to infirmary aft 2 planes collide midair successful Butte County

The study said some airplanes were owned by nan aforesaid operator, and some pilots were employed by nan aforesaid operator. Click here to publication a erstwhile connection made by Visser Air Ag, a institution successful Rigby.

What happened 

Both airplanes were operating from nan Arco-Butte County Airport connected nan time of nan accident. 

The study says they began operations astir 5:30 a.m., and each airplane had conducted aggregate aerial exertion flights wrong 10 miles of nan airdrome anterior to nan accident. 

The last formation occurred aft noon that day.

The AT-502B — flown by Teichert — departed nan airdrome astatine astir 12:30 p.m. pinch 400 gallons of a fungicide and insecticide substance that was to beryllium applied to wheat, nan preliminary study said. 

The AT-802 departed nan airdrome astatine astir 12:45 p.m. pinch afloat substance tanks and 575 gallons of insecticide, which were to beryllium applied to potatoes.

Aerial information from a recovered iPad for nan AT-802 showed that nan level was applying chemicals to murphy fields northbound of U.S. Highway 26. The level was making northwest and southeast passes. The AT-802 was not equipped pinch ADS-B instrumentality which is simply a satellite-based exertion that allows craft to broadcast their location.

The AT-502B was equipped pinch ADS-B equipment. It showed nan formation way began pinch nan airplane flying a westbound and past an eastbound way astir 5 miles northwest of nan airdrome complete wheat fields. The airplane past flew to nan southeast earlier turning to nan south, wherever it overflew nan fields successful which nan AT-802 was working. 

Courtesy photo

The witnesses’ account

Two witnesses that were walking westbound connected U.S. Highway 26 saw 1 airplane walking from northbound to southbound complete nan road astatine debased altitude, nan study said. 

They besides saw a 2nd airplane walking towards nan first connected a northerly heading. The southbound airplane appeared to make a near move successful beforehand of nan northbound airplane, which past appeared to make a near move to debar nan first airplane earlier they collided, nan study said. 

The airplanes came to remainder connected flat, sagebrush-covered terrain. The preliminary study does not opportunity overmuch other astir nan crash. A much broad last study from NTSB is expected successful nan coming months.

Read a memorial communicative astir Teichert here.

RELATED | Pilot killed successful mid-air collision past week remembered arsenic devoted family man who loved serving others

As for nan different pilot, who has not been identified, he is still recovering.

The pursuing is simply a connection from Brandon Visser, nan proprietor of Visser Ag.

“The aviator from nan double level cropdusting mishap connected June 20, 2024 is improving daily. He suffered important injuries to his little assemblage because of nan unit of nan accident. Both legs had aggregate breaks from a surgery ankle connected 1 limb to a surgery knee connected nan other. He fractured his pelvis and suffered a traumatic encephalon injury. He is making advancement mundane but it will beryllium a agelong roadworthy to afloat betterment for him. His family wishes to convey each those who person reached retired and showed their support.”

Map from nan preliminary report. | Courtesy NTSB