# NTSB ATL87DKG01: Air Tractor AT301, N4346S, Atmore, AL, April 22, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: April 22, 1987, 11:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Atmore, AL
- Location: 31.1241° N, 87.4578° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Atmore, AL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1241&lon=-87.4578&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured; on the ground: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7239
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87DKG01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7239/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87DKG01

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING LANDING THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A TRACTOR MOWING GRASS ON THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE SUNGLARE ON FINAL PREVENTED HIM FROM SEEING THE VEHICLE ON THE RUNWAY. THE TRACTOR'S OPERATOR APPARENTLY DID NOT HEAR THE AIRCRAFT BECAUSE HE MADE NO ATTEMPT TO CLEAR THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4346S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4346S-1999-05-06), registration cancelled 1999-05-06, S/N 301-0026 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT301
- Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-301) (registry code 0390103) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 126
- Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Billy R. Parker
- Registered owner: Jewel Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Airport: Parkers Flying Service

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 3,600 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 30,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MOB, 33 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 19870422010799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870422010799A), Apr 22, 1987: Airtrc AT301, Atmore, AL, Minor damage. Aircraft struck a tractor on landing rollout. Tractor mowing grass on runway. Morning sun reflecting on windshield.

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.