# Accident 20011022027849A: Airtrc AT301, Morton, TX, October 22, 2001

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 22, 2001, 14:00 local time
- Place: Morton, TX
- Damage: No damage
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Location: 33.7294° N, 102.7339° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7294&lon=-102.7339&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4395S, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4395S-2008-01-25) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Air Tractor AT-301 (registry code 0390103, https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-301) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Pratt & Whitney R1340 series (registry code 52016, https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIRTRC AT301
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB FTW02LA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA020) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011022027849A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) A WITNESS, LOCATED IN THE FIELD ADJACENT TO THE ACCIDENT SITE, REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE MADE TWO PASSES OVER THE COTTON FIELD AND DURING THE SUBSEQUENT TURN-AROUND MANEUVER, AT APPROXIMATELY 400 FEET AGL, THE AIRPLANE "MADE A HARD RIGHT TURN NEAR VERTICAL, BANKED A HARD LEFT TURN, GOING DOWN, HIT THE GROUND AND CAUGHT ON FIRE." THE WIND WAS FROM THE SOUTHWEST AT 10-15 KNOTS. THE COMMERCIAL PILOT RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES AND THE AIRPLANE WAS DESTROYED. THE AIRPLANE WAS FOUND RESTING INVERTED IN A BURNED GRASSY AREA ADJACENT TO THE COTTON FIELD. THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE COCKPIT WAS INTACT; HOWEVER, THERE WAS THERMAL DESTRUCTION OF THE COCKPIT INSTRUMENTS, COMPONENTS AND SEAT. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE FOUND OF AN INFLIGHT FIRE. NO MECHANICAL DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND THAT WOULD HAVE PRECLUDED OPERATIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO THE IMPACT.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB FTW02LA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA020), Oct 22, 2001: Air Tractor AT-301 (N4395S), Morton, TX, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's loss of control of the airplane during an aerial application maneuver.

## Other reports on N4395S (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19820512032949I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820512032949I), May 12, 1982: Airtrc AT301 (N4395S), Shallowater, TX, Minor damage. Lost power on takeoff roll, aborted, nosed up off runway. Had fouled spark plugs.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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