# NTSB CHI01LA195: Air Tractor AT-401, N4549E, Ellinwood, KS, July 2, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 2, 2001, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Ellinwood, KS - Coordinates: 38.350601, -98.579032 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3506&lon=-98.5790&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 23, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 52613 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI01LA195 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52613/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA195 ## Probable cause The pilot failed to see and avoid the guy wire during an aerial application flight. A factor associated with the accident was the guy wire. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - object - wire,static (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The airplane contacted a guy wire and collided with the terrain during an aerial application flight. The pilot reported he saw the poles during the aerial application flight. He reported he knew that there would be wires in the area so he swung out wide during a turn to look for the wires. The right wing contacted a guy wire during the turn. The airplane then settled into the sunflower crop. ## Factual narrative On July 2, 2001, at 0930 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-401, N4549E, contacted a guy wire and collided with the terrain during an aerial application flight in Ellinwood, Kansas. The commercial pilot flying the airplane was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 137 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The pilot reported he departed the Ellinwood Municipal Airport at approximately 0900 central daylight time. The pilot reported he saw the poles during the aerial application flight. He reported he knew that there would be wires in the area so he swung out wide during a turn to look for the wires. The right wing contacted a guy wire during the turn. The airplane then settled into the sunflower crop. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4549E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4549E), registered now, S/N 401-0765 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor 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: 401-0765 - Airframe hours: 3138 - Engines: P&W R-1340-AN-1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Ellinwood Flying Services, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 2001, 150 hours before - Departed: 1K6, Ellinwood, KS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review March 27, 2001; seat: center; flight hours: 2,553 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 2,454 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 11 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: GBD, 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 20010702018889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010702018889A), Jul 2, 2001: Airtrc AT401, Ellinwood, KS, No damage. (.19) On July 2, 2001, at 0930 central daylight time, an air tractor AT-401, N4549E, contacted a guy wire and collided with the terrain during an aerial… ## Other investigations on N4549E (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 GAA15CA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA117), Jun 9, 2015: Air Tractor AT 401 (N4549E), Wall, SD, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to adjust the airplane's useful load to compensate for the high temperature, which resulted in an insufficient climb rate to clear surrounding terrain, and a runway excursion. 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.