# NTSB CEN11CA330: Air Tractor AT-301, N5097S, Garwood, TX, May 10, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 10, 2011, 08:00 local (13:00 UTC) - Place: Garwood, TX - Coordinates: 29.449697, -96.509727 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4497&lon=-96.5097&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: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 30, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 79074 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA330 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/79074/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79074 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA330 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from transmission wires during a low-level maneuvering flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 178 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/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: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [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) - [Uncontrolled descent: 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 According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot reported that he was spraying a field at a low altitude. He said that transmission wires were located near the beginning of the field. He said the airplane encountered an unexpected downdraft which shifted the flight path towards the wires. He unsuccessfully attempted to fly under the wires, but the airplane's propeller and vertical fin struck the wires. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, the vertical fin, and empennage. According to the FAA inspector, the pilot did not report any preimpact or mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. ## Factual narrative According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot reported that he was maneuvering at low-altitude to apply applicant to a field. Transmission wires were located near the beginning of his job area. The pilot stated that while overflying the wires, the airplane encountered a gust of wind which shifted the airplane's flight path towards the wires. The pilot unsuccessfully attempted to fly under the wires. The wires struck the airplane's propeller and vertical fin. Aircraft control was lost and the airplane impacted terrain. Substantial damage was sustained to the fuselage, both wings, the vertical fin, and empennage. According to the FAA inspector, the pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions prior to the collision. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5097S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5097S-2020-08-02), registration cancelled 2020-08-02, S/N 301-0119, built 1978 (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: 301-0119 - Engines: P&W R1340 SERIES 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Anf Air Service Inc - Registered owner: Anf Air Service Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: Garwood, TX - Destination: Garwood, TX - Flight plan: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: minor; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: single ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 11 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.78 inHg - Observed at: KDUA, 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 20110510007989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110510007989A), May 10, 2011: Air Tractor Inc AT-301, Garwood, TX, Destroyed. The N5097S was starting an east to west swath run at an altitude of approximately 100 feet when it struck the lower rung of power lines that ran along the… ## Other investigations on N5097S (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 SEA86LA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86LA081), Mar 21, 1986: Air Tractor 301 (N5097S), Prescott, WA, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 1, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79074. 197 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 not obtained (item 1, .PDF, 14 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349819&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20not%20obtained-Master.PDF - Photo: Wreckage overview (item 2, .PDF, 144 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349822&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%3A%20Wreckage%20overview-Master.PDF - Correspondence: Record of conversation with FAA (item 3, .PDF, 39 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349835&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Correspondence%3A%20Record%20of%20conversation%20with%20FAA-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.