# NTSB CEN18LA288: Air Tractor AT 301, N3169H, Milford, IA, July 22, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 22, 2018, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Milford, IA - Coordinates: 43.302501, -95.0625 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3025&lon=-95.0625&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards - NTSB case key (mKey): 97850 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN18LA288 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97850/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97850 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA288 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of airplane control during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because no anomalies consistent with a flight control system malfunction were observed. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/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 The operator reported that, during takeoff for an agricultural application flight, the airplane "quickly whipped" left almost immediately after becoming airborne. Subsequently, the airplane impacted a cornfield and then came to rest about 70 ft west of the runway. Postaccident airframe examination did not reveal evidence of any preimpact anomalies with the flight control system that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that there were no issues with the engine during the takeoff. The pilot added that he commonly used a gentle rise in the runway to assist the airplane to become airborne during takeoff; however, the investigation could not determine if this played a role in the loss of airplane control. Based on the available evidence, the investigation could not determine the reason for the pilot's loss of airplane control. ## Factual narrative On July 22, 2018, about 1330 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301 airplane, N3169H, was substantially damaged during an in-flight collision with terrain after takeoff from a private airstrip (2,000 ft by 50 ft, turf) near Milford, Iowa. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by private individuals as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 agricultural application flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight was not operated on a flight plan. The local flight was originating from the private airstrip at the time of the accident.The operator reported that the pilot conducted application flights earlier in the day. During the accident takeoff, the airplane "quickly whipped" to the left upon reaching about 8 ft above ground level. The airplane impacted a corn field and came to rest upright, about 70 ft west of the runway, with substantial damage to both wings and the aft fuselage. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector conducted a postrecovery airframe examination. He reported that flight control continuity was confirmed and that no anomalies consistent with a preimpact malfunction were observed. The pilot informed the inspector that there were no issues with the engine during the accident takeoff. The pilot commented that he commonly used a gentle rise in the runway to assist the airplane to become airborne during takeoff. The operator reported that the airplane weight at the time of the accident was about 5,840 lbs., with a maximum allowable gross weight for the operation of 7,400 lbs. The airplane chemical hopper was about one-half full at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3169H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3169H-2019-07-08), registration cancelled 2019-07-08, S/N 301-0572, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT 301 (No Series) - 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: 301-0572 - Year built: 1984 - Airframe hours: 3315.9 - Engines: Pratt&Whitney R1340-AN-1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 11, 2018, 53 hours before - Departed: PVT, Milford, IA - Destination: PVT, Milford, IA - Airport: PVT, Private, runway 36, 2,000 × 50 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 14, 2018; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 3,148 total, 441 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: SPW, 10 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 20180722017539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180722017539A), Jul 22, 2018: Air Tractor Inc AT-301, Milford, IA, Substantial damage. Pilot was taking off with a load of ag chemical. Just after lift off, the airplane veared left into a cornfield coming to rest in upright position. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 11, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97850. 2.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466498&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466499&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Maintenance Records (item 3, .PDF, 566 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466500&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Records-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.