# NTSB ATL02LA153: Air Tractor AT-301, N3164E, Memphis, TN, August 6, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 6, 2002, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Memphis, TN - Coordinates: 35.045833, -89.978057 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0458&lon=-89.9781&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Memphis FSDO-25 - NTSB case key (mKey): 55421 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL02LA153 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55421/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL02LA153 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to make a precautionary landing to an unsuitable sod airstrip that resulted in a ground loop. A factor was tall vegetation. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - high vegetation - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command ## Analysis The pilot stated he experienced a rough running engine and elected to make a precautionary landing to a grass strip. He stated that he could not tell the grass on the runway was tall. On landing roll, the pilot lost directional control and ground looped as the airplane collided with the six-foot tall grass. The main landing gear was spread, the tail wheel separated, and both wings collided with the ground. Examination of the airframe, flight controls, engine assembly and accessories revealed no evidence of a pre-crash mechanical failure or malfunction. ## Factual narrative On August 6, 2002, about 1430 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301, N3164E, registered to a private owner, doing business as Baker Flying Service Inc., operating as a 14 CFR Part 137 agricultural flight, ground looped during a precautionary landing in the vicinity of Memphis, Tennessee. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated from Memphis, Tennessee at 1200. The pilot stated he experienced a rough running engine after making a swath run. The engine started to sputter, cleared, and started to sputter again. The pilot suspected water was in the fuel system, and he elected to make a precautionary landing to a grass strip located on President's Island instead of continuing the flight. The pilot stated he was nervous and felt he should land. He made an approach to the north, and did not notice the height of the grass on the runway. During the approach he observed a dusty road located to the left of the runway, but elected to continue to the grass runway. On landing rollout, the airplane encountered the high grass, and he experienced a loss of directional control. The airplane ground looped to the right. Examination of the airplane disclosed that the main landing gear was spread, the tail wheel assembly had separated, and the left and right wings sustained damage. Examination of the dirt road revealed that ample surface condition existed for a landing. A functional examination of the engine assembly was accomplished. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3164E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3164E-2020-12-21), registration cancelled 2020-12-21, S/N 301-0533 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-301 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-301) (registry code 0390103) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 301-0533 - Airframe hours: 9645 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN-1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Ben P. Baker - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 25, 2002, 195 hours before - Departed: M04, Covington, TN - Destination: NONE, Presidents Is, TN - Airport: President's Island, runway 360, 2,000 × 65 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review January 14, 2002; seat: front; flight hours: 17,700 total, 2,200 in this make and model, 200 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: MEM, 6 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 20020806021329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020806021329A), Aug 6, 2002: Airtrc AT301, Memphis, TN, Substantial damage. (-23) Mr. Forrest stated he is an FAA aviation safety inspector. On August 7, 2002, he was notified of an aircraft accident that occurred on presidents island,… 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.