# NTSB CEN11CA294: Air Tractor AT-802A, N42015, Horseshoe Lake, AR, April 17, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 17, 2011, 06:50 local (11:50 UTC) - Place: Horseshoe Lake, AR - Coordinates: 34.905555, -90.301666 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9056&lon=-90.3017&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 30, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Adminisration - NTSB case key (mKey): 78899 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA294 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78899/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78899 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA294 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the tower due to his inadequate visual lookout. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-802A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=0390308), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-802A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=0390308), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-802A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=0390308), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis While spraying a field, the pilot reversed direction for another pass. During the pass, the pilot misjudged his altitude and impacted a tower with the airplane's propeller and inboard section of the right wing. During the impact sequence the airplane's right horizontal stabilizer and right elevator separated. Unable to maintain altitude, the pilot performed a forced landing to a cornfield. The airplane came to rest in an upright position in an irrigation canal. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative While spraying a field, the agricultural pilot reversed course for another pass. During the pass, the pilot misjudged his altitude and impacted a tower with the airplane's propeller and inboard section of the right wing. As the tower fell, it separated the airplane's right horizontal stabilizer and right elevator. Unable to maintain altitude, the pilot performed a forced landing to a cornfield. The airplane came to rest in an upright position in an irrigation canal. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N42015](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N42015-2011-12-20), registration cancelled 2011-12-20, S/N 802A-0304, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT-802A - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-802A](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-802a) (registry code 0390308) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-65AG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-65ag) (registry code 52109, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 802A-0304 - Airframe hours: 1492 - Engines: P&W CANADA PT6A-65AG 1300 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Frost Flying Service - Registered owner: Aerial Crop Services LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 20, 2011 - Departed: Horseshoe Lake, AR - Destination: Horseshoe Lake, AR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 12, 2010; seat: center; flight hours: 9,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 8,930 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 12 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °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 20110417005649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110417005649A), Apr 17, 2011: Air Tractor Inc AT-802A, Horseshoe Lake, AR, Substantial damage. On 04/17/2011 at 1150 z, Air tractor AT-802, N42015, s/n 802A-0304 was being operated near Horseshoe Lake, AR in VMC (visual meteorological conditions) under… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 29, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78899. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349563&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.