# NTSB CEN23LA347: Air Tractor AT-401, N6015W, Jamestown, ND, August 3, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 3, 2023, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Jamestown, ND - Coordinates: 46.92521, -98.75183 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9252&lon=-98.7518&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 192789 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA347 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192789/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192789 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA347 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain proper airspeed after liftoff, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-401, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=0390204), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-401, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=0390204), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-401, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=0390204), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/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-401, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0390204), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-401, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=0390204), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-401, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=0390204), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-401, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=0390204), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) ## Analysis The purpose of the flight was to ferry the airplane that the pilot had never flown. During takeoff roll on the narrow (10 ft wide) runway, the pilot advanced the throttle slowly, which resulted in the airplane’s slow acceleration. As the end of the runway approached, the pilot selected full throttle and the airplane lifted off the ground at a slow airspeed. As the airplane climbed out of ground effect, the pilot did not increase airspeed adequately due, in part, to his concern of power lines off the end of the runway. The airplane subsequently entered an aerodynamic stall and impacted terrain, which substantially damaged the right wing. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot likely did not maintain proper airspeed during initial climb, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall. The pilot attributed his lack of familiarity with the airplane and the narrow runway as factors to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6015W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6015W-2023-09-11), registration cancelled 2023-09-11, S/N 401-0947, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT-401 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-401](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-401) (registry code 0390204) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 401-0947 - Year built: 1994 - Engines: Walter M601E-11 657 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Ferry, Part 91 - Registered owner: Remmick Darwin R - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: PRI, Jamestown, ND - Destination: OQW, Maquoketa, IA - Airport: PRI, Central Ag Spraying, runway 03, 2,600 × 10 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 1, 2022; seat: center; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 754 total, 0 in this make and model, 597 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 82 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: KJMS, 2 nm away - METAR: KJMS 031356Z AUTO 04003KT 10SM CLR 24/20 A3005 RMK AO2 SLP166 T02440200 ## 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 20230803011709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230803011709A), Aug 3, 2023: Air Tractor Inc AT-401, Jamestown, ND, Substantial damage. The pilot was attempting to take off from a private grass runway with an aircraft/engine combination he was unfamiliar with. The pilot stated that he failed to… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 9, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192789. 6.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 5.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16152575&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo at accident site (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 709 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16152966&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo-Rel.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.