# NTSB ATL93LA056: Air Tractor AT-400, N36521, South Mills, NC, February 5, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 5, 1993, 11:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: South Mills, NC
- Coordinates: 36.439636, -76.320014 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4396&lon=-76.3200&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8727
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93LA056
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8727/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA056

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM TREES DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION MANEUVER. FACTORS WERE THE TREES ADJACENT TO THE WHEAT FIELD, AND THE SOFT TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS SPRAYING HERBICIDES ON A WHEAT FIELD. AT THE END OF A SPRAY PASS, THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE TOPS OF SOME PINE TREES. THE PILOT LANDED THE AIRCRAFT IN AN OPEN FIELD, AND IT NOSED OVER IN SOFT MUD. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT, THAT THE ACCIDENT WAS HIS OWN MISTAKE. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE AIRCRAFT HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED IN OVER 4 YEARS, THE PILOT HAD NOT COMPLETED A BIENNIAL FLIGHT REVIEW IN OVER 6 YEARS, AND THE PILOT HAD NOT RECEIVED AN FAA MEDICAL CERTIFICATE IN OVER 3 YEARS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N36521](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N36521-1995-05-12), registration cancelled 1995-05-12, S/N 4000246 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR AT-400
- Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-400](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-400) (registry code 0390202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 400-0246
- Engines: P&W PT6A-15AG 680 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Hudson Air Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Hudson Air Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 2, 1988
- Departed: NONE, ELIZABETH CITY, NC
- Destination: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: expired; seat: center; flight hours: 9,000 total, 3,900 in this make and model, 9,000 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 30,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ECG, 13 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 19930205003339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930205003339A), Feb 5, 1993: Airtrc AT400, South Mills, NC, Substantial damage. Struck trees on pull-up from spray run. Forced down in muddy field. Nosed over.

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.

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