# NTSB CEN09CA514: Air Tractor AT-301, N5018S, DeWitt, IL, August 10, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 10, 2009, 13:40 local (18:40 UTC) - Place: DeWitt, IL - Coordinates: 40.633335, -88.800003 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6333&lon=-88.8000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 19, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 74492 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA514 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74492/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74492 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA514 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the tree during the aerial application maneuver. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he made his first aerial application run without any problems. He said that during his second run he lost lift during a turn. He went to full power and tried to clear some trees. The left wing caught the top of a tree and the airplane sustained substantial damage on subsequent impact with terrain. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he made his first aerial application run without any problems. He said that during his second run he lost lift during a turn. He went to full power and tried to clear some trees. The left wing caught the top of a tree and the airplane sustained substantial damage on subsequent impact with terrain. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5018S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5018S-2010-05-03), registration cancelled 2010-05-03, S/N 301-0107, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC 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: 301-0107 - Airframe hours: 7445 - Engines: P&W R1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Mikes Air Service Inc - Registered owner: Mikes Air Service Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 19, 2009 - Departed: PVT, Cisco, IL - Destination: PVT, Cisco, IL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 5, 2008; seat: center; flight hours: 7,035 total, 249 in this make and model, 6,900 as pilot in command, 94 in the last 90 days, 86 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: BMI ## 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 20090810020199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090810020199A), Aug 10, 2009: Airtrc AT301, Dewitt, IL, Destroyed. During an aerial application operation the pilot was unable to maintain a safe altitude while making a turnaround despite adding full power. Pilot was… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 20, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74492. 584 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 584 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317648&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF 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.