# Accident 20020326009209A: Airtrc AT400A, Hastings, FL, March 26, 2002

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 26, 2002, 11:05 local time
- Place: Hastings, FL
- Damage: No damage
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Location: 29.6942° N, 81.4328° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6942&lon=-81.4328&mi=10
- Aircraft: N3159G, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3159G-2013-06-07) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Air Tractor AT-400A (registry code 0390203, https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-400a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Pratt & Whitney PT6SER TP (registry code 52045, https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6ser-tp) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIRTRC AT400A
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ATL02LA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL02LA066) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020326009209A

## Narrative

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

(-23) THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHILE HEADED NORTH AT 125FT ABOVE THE FARM FIELD AND DESCENDING IN PREPARATION TO SPRAY HE HEARD AND FELT A LOUD SHARP EXPLOSION BENEATH HIM TO HIS RIGHT SIDE. THE AIRCRAFT BANKED HARD RIGHT HITTING THE FIELD RIGHT WING FIRST AND CART-WHEELING WING OVER WING COMING TO REST 225 FT. FROM THE INITIAL POINT OF IMPACT. THE PILOT FURTHER STATED THAT HE HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE AIRCRAFT AFTER THE INITIAL EXPLOSION. AN FAA ON SCENE EXAMINATION FOUND A DEBRIS FIELD OF PAINT CHIPS AND ONE SMALL HALF INCH WASHER 200' SOUTH OF THE INITIAL WING IMPACT POINT. APPROXIMATELY 10' PRIOR TO RIGHT WING IMPACT AF 4 FOOT MANGLED SECTION OF WHAT APPEARS TO BE "WING SPAR WAS PROTRUDING FROM THE FARM FIELD ALMOST VERTICAL. A DETAILED EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE AFTER RECONSTRUCTION WILL BEGIN 04-01-2002 BY FAA AND THE AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURER.

## 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 ATL02LA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL02LA066), Mar 26, 2002: Air Tractor AT-400A (N3159G), Hastings, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: Fatigue cracking in the most outboard splice bolt hole in the lower spar cap of the right wing. .

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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