# Accident 20130508018039A: Air Tractor Inc AT-301, Lyons, KS, May 8, 2013

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 8, 2013, 15:56 local time
- Place: Lyons, KS
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Maneuver
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: W0GG
- Location: 38.3283° N, 98.2097° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3283&lon=-98.2097&mi=10
- Aircraft: N23257, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N23257) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Air Tractor AT-301 (registry code 0390103, https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-301) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN-1 (registry code 51612, https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-1340-an-1) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT-301
- Reported engine: P & W R-1340-AN-1
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 1,445 total, 541 in this make and model, 22 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN13LA265](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA265) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130508018039A

## Narrative

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

THE PILOT WAS ENTERING THE FIELD FROM THE WEST TO BEGIN A SPRAYING RUN. AS HE WAS LEVELING OFF THE RIGHT COCKPIT DOOR OPENED, STARTLING THE PILOT. THE MOMENTARY DISTRACTION CAUSED THE PILOT TO ALLOW THE AIRCRAFT TO SETTLE INTO THE WHEAT FIELD APPROXIMATELY 200 FEET FROM THE WEST SIDE OF THE FIELD STRIKING THE GROUND WITH THE PROPELLER. THE PILOT THEN MANAGED TO GET THE AIRCRAFT AIRBORNE AGAIN BUT APPROXIMATELY 3/4 OF A MILE INTO THE FIELD THE AIRCRAFT SETTLED INTO THE GROUND AGAIN CONTACTING THE RIGHT LANDING GEAR AND WING TIP. THE AIRCRAFT SPUN 90 DEGREES LEFT AND SKIDDING ANOTHER 150 FEET COMING TO REST UPRIGHT.

## 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 CEN13LA265](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA265), May 8, 2013: Air Tractor AT-301 (N23257), Lyons, KS, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's diverted attention after the door hinge failed and a piece of door glass struck the pilot, resulting in the airplane's descent into the crops and impact with terrain.

## Other reports on N23257 (1)

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

- [Accident 19850725070509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850725070509A), Jul 25, 1985: Airtrc AT301 (N23257), Bonita, LA, Substantial damage. During tandem takeoff encountered wake turbulance. Aircraft settled to ground and flipped over.

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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