# NTSB CEN10CA185: Air Tractor AT-301, N3653T, Malden, MO, April 2, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 2, 2010, 10:20 local (15:20 UTC) - Place: Malden, MO - Coordinates: 36.598331, -89.9925 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5983&lon=-89.9925&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 August 12, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - St. Louis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75636 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA185 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75636/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75636 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA185 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree during an aerial application flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation; 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) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/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) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Other: Fire/smoke (post-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 354 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the airplane encountered a downdraft after completing an aerial application pass. While climbing away from the field, the airplane’s right wing impacted a tree and the pilot performed an off-field landing instead of returning to the departure airport. The main landing gear collapsed during the landing in a rough field. A postimpact fire ensued on the right wing after the airplane came to rest. The airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that the airplane encountered a downdraft after completing an aerial application pass. While climbing away from the field, the airplane’s right wing impacted a tree and the pilot performed an off-field landing instead of returning to the departure airport. The main landing gear collapsed during the landing in a rough field. A post-impact fire ensued on the right wing after the airplane came to rest. The airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3653T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3653T-2013-10-31), registration cancelled 2013-10-31, S/N 301-0282, built 1980 (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: 301-0282 - Airframe hours: 10984 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R1340AN-1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Aerial Farm Service - Registered owner: Aerial Farm Service - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 5, 2009 - Departed: KM85, Gideon, MO - Destination: KM85, Gideon, MO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 12, 2009; seat: single; flight hours: 1,388 total, 1,004 in this make and model, 1,300 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: KPOF, 19 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 20100402030639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100402030639A), Apr 2, 2010: Air Tractor AT-301, Malden, MO, Substantial damage. Operator was in the process of aerial application of a "roundup" chemical herbicide on a field approximately 1/2 mile north of Malden, Missouri race track.… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 25, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75636. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329505&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.