# NTSB ATL99LA051: Air Tractor 301, N36484, Finley, TN, March 12, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 12, 1999, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Finley, TN - Coordinates: 35.879524, -89.400993 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8795&lon=-89.4010&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 8, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45892 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL99LA051 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45892/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA051 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind and his failure to maintain directional control. A factor was the gusting winds. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled - Nose over, takeoff - roll/run ## Analysis During takeoff roll on Highway 181, the airplane encountered a gust of wind which blew the airplane off the asphalt surface. The airplane proceeded down an embankment and came to rest inverted. Skid marks from the airplane were apparent crossing the roadway and down the embankment. No mechanical malfunctions or failures were reported by the pilot or Federal Aviation Administration Inspector who examined the wreckage. ## Factual narrative On March 12, 1999, at 1100 central standard time, an Air Tractor 301, N36484, collided with the ground during takeoff from Highway 181 in Finley, Tennessee. The airplane was owned by H & H Flying Company and operated by the commercial pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 137 and visual flight rules. No flight plan was filed for the local aerial application flight. The pilot was not injured and the airplane received substantial damage. The flight departed Finley, Tennessee, initially at 0700. According to the pilot, during takeoff roll on Highway 181, the airplane encountered a gust of wind, which blew the airplane around off its heading. The airplane proceeded down an embankment and came to rest inverted. Highway 181 at the accident location was an asphalt surface located on the top of a grass levee. The pilot exited the airplane with no injuries. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures. According to a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector who visited the accident site, the left wingtip was broken off, the left wing was bowed upward, the propellers were bent, the bottom half of the hopper door was removed, and the vertical stabilizer was crushed with the upper tip broken off. Examination of the takeoff surface showed skid marks crossing the roadway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N36484](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N36484-2011-04-12), registration cancelled 2011-04-12, S/N 301-0232, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor 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: 301-0232 - Airframe hours: 6333 - Engines: P&W R1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: George S Hollingsworth - Registered owner: H&H Flying Co. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 10, 1999, 20 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 5,610 total, 3,324 in this make and model, 5,510 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 16 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MKL ## 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 19990312002209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990312002209A), Mar 12, 1999: Airtrc AT301, Finley, TN, Substantial damage. Acft ground looped on take off, struck a levee, and came to rest inverted. ## Other investigations on N36484 (1) 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. - [NTSB ATL94LA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA127), Jun 27, 1994: Air Tractor AT-301 (N36484), Finley, TN, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. FACTORS WERE WET AND SOFT TERRAIN. 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.