# NTSB CEN12CA264: Air Tractor AT-301A, N7306C, Cheyenne Wells, CO, March 15, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 15, 2012, 09:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Cheyenne Wells, CO - Coordinates: 38.733055, -102.118057 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7331&lon=-102.1181&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 June 28, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83522 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA264 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83522/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83522 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA264 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate compensation for the wind conditions during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Aircraft capability: takeoff distance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025/cases.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025/cases.md) - [Wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/cases.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/cases.md) - [Action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000/cases.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000/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 During the departure roll from a dirt airstrip, the airplane encountered wind shear. The pilot was unable to get the airplane off the ground, and the airplane hit a fence post when it overran the end of the airstrip. The right wing was substantially damaged during the impact. ## Factual narrative During the departure roll from a dirt strip, the agricultural spray airplane encountered wind shear. The pilot was unable to get the airplane off the ground and the airplane hit a fence post when it overran the end of the airstrip. The right wing was substantially damaged during the impact. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7306C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7306C-2020-01-31), registration cancelled 2020-01-31, S/N 301-0606, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT-301A - 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: 301-0606 - Airframe hours: 4087 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN-1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Nickel D LLC - Registered owner: Nickel D LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 13, 2012 - Departed: Cheyenne Wells, CO - Destination: Cheyenne Wells, CO - Airport: PVT, Private Field, runway 09, 5,000 × 25 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 3, 2012; seat: single; flight hours: 3,280 total, 174 in this make and model, 130 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 14 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: KITR ## 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 20120315006459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120315006459A), Mar 15, 2012: Air Tractor Inc AT-301, Cheyene Wells, CO, Substantial damage. On March 15, 2012 at approximately 09:15 hours mountain daylight time, N7306C, an Air tractor model AT-301 aircraft sustained substantial damage during an… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 21, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83522. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot and Operator Statements (item 1, .PDF, 514 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40367273&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20and%20Operator%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 2, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40367668&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.