# Accident 20240621007229A: Air Tractor Inc AT-802A, Capitan, NM, June 21, 2024

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 21, 2024, 11:15 local time
- Place: Capitan, NM
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 33.5869° N, 105.4424° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5869&lon=-105.4424&mi=10
- Aircraft: N331BS, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N331BS-2026-07-23) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Air Tractor AT-802A (registry code 0390308, https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-802a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67AG (registry code 52211, https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-67ag) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT-802A
- Reported engine: P&W CANADA PT6A-67AG
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 14,000 total, 129 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR24FA202](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA202) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240621007229A

## Narrative

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

ON JUNE 21, 2024, AT APPROXIMATELY 1100 MST, AN AIR TRACTOR AT-802, CRASHED WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN 6 MILES ENE OF CAPITAN, NM.  THE COMMERCIAL PILOT WAS KILLED.  THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED.  THE AIRCRAFT WAS A PART OF A THREE-PLANE FERRY DEPARTING ALPINE-CASPARIS AIRPORT, TX (E38) TO GALLUP MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, NM (GUP) AFTER BEING RELEASED FROM USFS FIREFIGHTING OPERATIONS.  THE FLIGHT WAS OPERATING VFR AT 9,500 FEET.  NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED.

THE LEAD PILOT STATED THAT, WHILE ENROUTE TO GUP, THEY ENCOUNTERED A RAIN SHOWER IN THE CAPITAN AREA.  HE DIRECTED THE OTHER TWO AIRCRAFT TO TURN 30 DEGREES AND CLIMB TO REACQUIRE VISUAL CONTACT WITH ONE ANOTHER.  HE REPORTED THAT SHORTLY AFTER THAT, HE AND THE NUMBER TWO AIRCRAFT REGAINED VMC AND VISUAL CONTACT.  HE THEN RADIOED THE MISHAP AIRCRAFT TO ASCERTAIN HIS SITUATION AS THAT AIRCRAFT WAS SEEN TURNING TO THE WEST.  THE ONLY RESPONSE WAS, “OH, I GOT THIS…”

THE TWO AIRCRAFT CONTINUED TO GUP EXPECTING TO FIND THE THIRD THERE.  THE LEAD PILOT CONTACTED ATC AND THE COMPANY CHIEF PILOT TO INITIATE LOST AIRCRAFT PROCEDURES.  WHEN LOCATED SEVERAL HOURS LATER, THE WRECKAGE WAS SCATTERED IN A NORTHERLY DIRECTION AT ABOUT 7,500 FEET.  INVESTIGATION OF THE SITE DETERMINED THAT THE ACCIDENT WAS ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTROLLED FLIGHT INTO TERRAIN (CFIT).

## 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 WPR24FA202](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA202), Jun 21, 2024: Air Tractor AT-802A (N331BS), Capitan, NM, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight through an apparent visual corridor that rapidly narrowed due to rising terrain and mountain obscuration, resulting in momentary…

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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