# NTSB ATL02LA066: Air Tractor AT-400A, N3159G, Hastings, FL, March 26, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 26, 2002, 11:22 local (16:22 UTC) - Place: Hastings, FL - Coordinates: 29.694166, -81.432777 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6942&lon=-81.4328&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration FSDO-15 - NTSB case key (mKey): 54403 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL02LA066 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54403/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54403 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL02LA066 ## Probable cause Fatigue cracking in the most outboard splice bolt hole in the lower spar cap of the right wing. . ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering - aerial application - wing,spar - fatigue (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground - terrain condition - crop ## Analysis While spraying fungicide to a potato field the pilot heard a loud explosion in the vicinity of the wing center section. After the explosion he had no control of the airplane and the airplane impacted the ground separating the right wing. Examination of the wreckage found the right wing tip near the initial impact point. The path of the airplane's debris field was to the north with a turn towards the east. The airplane then impacted into an irrigation ditch 261 feet from the initial impact point. Further examination of the wreckage found portions of the right wing spar imbedded into the ground in a near vertical attitude. Examination of the section of the wing spar by the NTSB Materials Laboratory found fatigue cracking in the most outboard splice bolt hole in the lower spar cap of the right wing. Air Tractor reported that this was the first known instance of fatigue cracking or fracture on a modified lower spar cap. As a result of this investigation the FAA issued an airworthiness directive that requires operators to inspect the wing centerline splice joint for cracks. ## Factual narrative On March 26, 2002, at 1122 eastern standard time, an Air Tractor AT-400A, N3159G, collided with the ground following an aerial application maneuver in Hastings, Florida. The airplane was registered to and operated by the commercial pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 137, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot received serious injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from a private strip in Hastings, Florida, on March 26, 2002, at 1050. According to the pilot, while spraying fungicide to a potato field and with no indication of anything wrong, he heard a loud explosion in the vicinity of the wing center section at about 60 feet above the ground. After the explosion, he had no control over the airplane and it impacted the ground separating the right wing. Examination of the wreckage found the right wing tip near the initial impact point. The path of the airplane's debris field was to the north with a turn towards the east. The airplane then impacted into an irrigation ditch 261 feet from the initial impact point. Further examination of the wreckage found portion of the right wing spar imbedded into the ground sticking up in a near vertical attitude. This section of the inboard right wing spar was recovered and forwarded to the NTSB Materials Laboratory in Washington, DC, for further examination. Examination of the section of the wing spar by the NTSB Materials Laboratory found that the wing separated from the airplane due to undetected fatigue cracking in the most-outboard splice bolt hole in the lower spar cap of the right wing. Air Tractor reported that this was the first known instance of fatigue cracking or fracture on a modified lower spar cap. As a result of this investigation the FAA issued an airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Air Tractor, Inc., Models AT-300, AT-301, AT-302and AT-400A airplanes that have aluminum spar caps; certain Air Tractor Models AT-400 airplane that have aluminum spar caps; and all Models AT-300 and AT-301 airplanes that have aluminum spar caps and are or have been converted to turbine power. In part the AD requires operators to inspect the wing centerline splice joint for cracks and, if any crack is found, replace the affected wing spar lower cap. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3159G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3159G-2013-06-07), registration cancelled 2013-06-07, S/N 400A-0467, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-400A - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-400A](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-400a) (registry code 0390203) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6SER TP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6ser-tp) (registry code 52045, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 400A-0467 - Airframe hours: 8200 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6-28 680 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Departed: PVT, Hastings, FL - Destination: PVT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: serious; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 18,600 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: DAB, 51 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20020326009209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020326009209A), Mar 26, 2002: Airtrc AT400A, Hastings, FL, No damage. (-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… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 30, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54403. 3.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 305 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40422202&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Materials Laboratory 15 - Factual Report 03-037 (item 2, .PDF, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40180409&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Materials%20Laboratory%2015%20-%20Factual%20Report%2003-037-Master.PDF - Wreckage Diagram (item 3, .PDF, 36 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40187952&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Wreckage%20Diagram-Master.PDF - FAA Airworthiness Directive (AD) (item 4, .PDF, 410 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40187953&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Airworthiness%20Directive%20(AD)-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.