# NTSB CEN10CA262: Air Tractor AT-301, N3159D, D'Hanis, TX, May 20, 2010

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 20, 2010, 18:10 local (23:10 UTC)
- Place: D'Hanis, TX
- Coordinates: 29.374721, -99.341941 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3747&lon=-99.3419&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 1, 2010
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 76069
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA262
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76069/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76069
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA262

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to properly set the airplane's flaps prior to takeoff.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md)
- [Flight control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022700): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022700/cases.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 65 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022700/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: 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)

## Analysis

While departing from his home field for an aerial application flight, the airplane was not able to get airborne and collided with several fences at the end of the runway. The pilot realized that he had left the flaps in the up position. Both wings sustained substantial rearward crushing. The pilot and operator reported no deficiencies with the airplane prior to the accident.

## Factual narrative

While departing from his home field for an aerial application flight, the airplane was not able to get airborne and collided with several fences at the end of the runway. The pilot realized he had left the flaps in the up position. Both wings sustained substantial rearward crushing. The pilot and operator reported no deficiencies with the airplane prior to the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3159D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3159D-2022-09-03), registration cancelled 2022-09-03, S/N 301-0471, built 1982 (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 PT6A-20A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-20a-series) (registry code 52139, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 301-0471
- Airframe hours: 10129
- Engines: Garrett TPE331-1-151A 670 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Rustys Flying Service, doing business as Rusty'S Flying Service
- Registered owner: Rustys Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 23, 2010
- Departed: 4TS8, D'Hanis, TX
- Destination: 4TS8, D'Hanis, TX
- Airport: 4TS8, Glasscock Field, runway 15, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 5, 2009; seat: single; flight hours: 450 total, 105 in this make and model, 420 as pilot in command, 105 in the last 90 days, 105 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,100 ft overcast
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.79 inHg
- Observed at: KHDO, 9 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 20100520035409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100520035409A), May 20, 2010: Air Tractor AT-301, D'Hanis, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted to takeoff without flaps and ran off the end of the runway.

## Other investigations on N3159D (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 MIA89LA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA127), Apr 13, 1989: Air Tractor AT-301 (N3159D), Fort Pierce, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: FAILURE OF THE NUMBER FIVE CYLINDER. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PROXIMITY OF HOMES IN THE AREA, WHICH PRECLUDED JETTISONING OF THE CHEMICAL LOAD, AND HIGH VEGETATION IN THE EMERGENCY…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 3, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76069. 458 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 458 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40330577&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.

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