# Accident 20030620010889A: Airtrc AT301, South Haven, MI, June 20, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 20, 2003, 10:50 local time
- Place: South Haven, MI
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Fcd/Prec Ldg From Cruise
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: RCDG
- Location: 42.3508° N, 86.2561° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3508&lon=-86.2561&mi=10
- Aircraft: N3659T, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3659T) (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
- Reported engine: PWA R1340AN1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 5,150 total, 1,675 in this make and model, 103 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CHI03LA170](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA170) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030620010889A

## Narrative

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

(-23) ON 06/20/03, THE SUBJECT AIRCRAFT TOOK OFF FROM THE HOME BASE (SOUTH HAVEN) AIRPORT AT APPROXIMATELY 8:50 AM TO DO AERIAL SPRAYING IN HAGER TOWNSHIP. UPON RETURNING TO THE BASE OF OPERATION IN SOUTH HAVEN, PILOT EXPERIENCED AN EXHAUST BACK FIRE TWICE IN FLIGHT AND TOOK A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING IN THE FIELD WHICH IS ABOUT 7 MILES FROM SOUTH HAVEN AIRPORT (0D1). DURING THE LANDING THE AIRCRAFT FLIPPED OVER AND CAUSED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE STRUCTURE AND DAMAGED THE PROPELLER AND CANOPY. PILOT RECEIVED MINOR INJURY AND LATER RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL WITHOUT ANY RESTRICTION. THERE IS SOME CHEMICAL LEFT IN THE AIRCRAFT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, BUT MOST OF IT ARE CONTAINED IN THE SYSTEM. THIS ACCIDENT IS UNDER FURTHER INVESTIGATION.

## 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 CHI03LA170](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA170), Jun 20, 2003: Air Tractor AT-301 (N3659T), Covert, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: Failure of the pilot to verify fuel quantity prior to the accident flight, and fuel exhaustion resulting in a loss of engine power. Contributing factors were the soft, rough, unsuitable terrain for a…

## Other reports on N3659T (1)

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

- [Accident 19980731019399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980731019399A), Jul 31, 1998: Airtrc AT301 (N3659T), Mentha, MI, Substantial damage. Veered off road into ditch and cornfield landing. Bent wings and gear. (.4)the pilot of an aerial applicator airplane landed his airplane on a road that had an…

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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