# NTSB CEN11CA570: Air Tractor AT-301, N8764S, Minot, ND, August 3, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 3, 2011, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Minot, ND - Coordinates: 48.257499, -101.277778 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.2575&lon=-101.2778&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 17, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-Fargo Flight Standards - NTSB case key (mKey): 81484 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA570 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81484/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81484 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA570 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the crosswind landing, resulting in a ground loop. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); 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) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was returning from an aerial application training flight when the accident occurred. The airplane initially tracked the runway centerline during the landing rollout. The pilot noted that the landing gear seemed to shake, and he pulled back on the control stick and applied both brakes in response. At that point, the airplane veered to the left and subsequently ground looped. The airplane departed the runway pavement and the left main landing gear partially collapsed, allowing the left wing to contact the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no failures or malfunctions associated with the airplane prior to the accident. A postaccident examination of the tail wheel assembly revealed no anomalies. The pilot reported that an approximate 80-degree right crosswind at 19 knots, gusting to 22 knots, existed during the accident landing. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was returning from an aerial application training flight when the accident occurred. The airplane initially tracked the runway centerline during the landing rollout. The pilot noted that the landing gear seemed to shake, and he pulled back on the control stick and applied both brakes in response. At that point, the airplane veered to the left and subsequently ground looped. The airplane departed the runway pavement and the left main landing gear partially collapsed, allowing the left wing to contact the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no failures or malfunctions associated with the airplane prior to the accident. A postaccident examination of the tail wheel assembly revealed no anomalies. The pilot reported that an approximate 80-degree right crosswind at 19 knots, gusting to 22 knots, existed during the accident landing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8764S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8764S-2018-07-03), registration cancelled 2018-07-03, S/N 301-0186, built 1979 (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: 301-0186 - Airframe hours: 9428 - Engines: P&W R1340 SERIES 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Pioneer AgViation, Inc. - Registered owner: Pioneer AgViation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 30, 2011 - Departed: MOT, Minot, ND - Destination: MOT, Minot, ND - Airport: MOT, Minot International, runway 13, 7,700 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 28, 2011; seat: single; flight hours: 259 total, 7 in this make and model, 178 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 19 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F - Altimeter: 29.77 inHg - Observed at: MOT, 1 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 20110803016759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110803016759A), Aug 3, 2011: Air Tractor Inc AT-301, Minot, ND, Substantial damage. During landing, ran off right side and right wing contacted ground, causing substantial wing structure damage and damage to left main gear strut & wheel assy. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 25, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81484. 249 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 198 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352891&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Conversation Record -- FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352892&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Conversation%20Record%20--%20FAA%20Inspector-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.