# NTSB ATL94LA130: Air Tractor AT-301, N3659D, Autaugaville, AL, July 3, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 3, 1994, 06:00 local (11:00 UTC) - Place: Autaugaville, AL - Coordinates: 32.430797, -86.649024 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4308&lon=-86.6490&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 25, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3410 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL94LA130 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3410/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA130 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING, IN THAT HE DID NOT PROPERLY EVALUATE THE CONDITION OF THE RUNWAY PRIOR TO TAKEOFF, AND HIS FAILURE TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF WHEN ADEQUATE ACCELERATION WAS NOT OBSERVED. FACTORS WERE THE HIGH VEGETATION (GRASS) ON THE RUNWAY, AND THE TREES AT THE PERIMETER OF THE AIRSTRIP. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE AG PILOT WAS TAKING OFF FROM THE GRASS AIRSTRIP WITH A FULL CHEMICAL LOAD. WHEN THE AIRCRAFT DID NOT ACCELERATE AS EXPECTED, HE LOWERED FLAPS, AND DUMPED THE HOPPER LOAD. THE AIRCRAFT MOMENTARILY BECAME AIRBORNE, THEN SETTLED, COLLIDING WITH SOME PINE TREES. THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WITH THE AIRCRAFT. HE DID REPORT THAT THE GRASS ON THE RUNWAY WAS EXCESSIVELY LONG. ## Factual narrative On July 3, 1994, at 0600 central daylight time, an Airtractor AT-301, N3659D, collided with trees during takeoff from a private, sod airstrip near Autaugaville, Alabama. The aerial application flight operated under 14 CFR Part 137 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the pilot was not injured. The accident occurred during the initial takeoff of the day. According to the pilot, with a full load of chemicals, and tall grass on the takeoff surface, the airplane would not accelerate sufficiently to accomplish a safe takeoff. He lowered additional flaps, to no effect. As the runway end approached, he dumped the chemical load, and the aircraft lifted off. As he closed the dump gate, the aircraft settled again, and collided with some small pine trees, located 250 feet beyond the runway end. His safety recommendation after the accident was to cut the grass, because it was too high at the end of the strip. He reported no aircraft mechanical failure or malfunction, after the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3659D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3659D), registered now, S/N 301-0327, built 1981 (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: 301-0327 - Airframe hours: 4799 - Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Farm Air, Inc. - Registered owner: Mccabe Flying Co Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 8, 1994, 50 hours before - Airport: NONE, Mulberry Strip, runway 36, 2,500 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; commercial, airline transport, military; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 6,200 total, 175 in this make and model, 175 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Wind: calm - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F ## 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 19940703017539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940703017539A), Jul 3, 1994: Airtrc AT301, Autaugaville, AL, Substantial damage. Failed gain speed on takeoff due tall grass. Dumped load lifted but settled into trees off end runway. 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.