# NTSB CHI02LA206: Air Tractor AT-401B, N60747, Pratt, KS, July 22, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 22, 2002, 10:40 local (15:40 UTC) - Place: Pratt, KS - Coordinates: 37.640476, -98.730567 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6405&lon=-98.7306&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 55272 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI02LA206 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55272/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55272 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA206 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance. A factor was low altitude flight. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application - altitude - low, pilot in command (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The aerial application flight descended into the corn crops that the pilot was spraying before impacting the ground. The pilot was attempting to roundout and level the airplane at an altitude of 5-10 feet above the corn when he noticed the airplane settling into the corn. He then added power and pitched the nose up slightly, but the descent continued into the corn and terrain. No mechanical anomalies were noted that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On July 22, 2002, at 1040 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-401B, N60747, operated by Farmers Spraying Service Inc., was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during an approach to a cornfield. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight was not operating on a flight plan. The airline transport pilot was uninjured. The local flight originated from the Pratt Industrial Airport (PTT), Pratt, Kansas, at 1028. The pilot stated in a written statement that he departed to spray a cornfield field located about 4.3 nautical miles northwest of PTT. Upon his arrival at the cornfield, he determined that the wind was from the northeast about 10 mph from smoke, which he placed over his pivot point. Cumulus clouds were forming with high humidity and a slightly gusty breeze. He observed power lines bordering the west and south sides of the corn field. He decided to spray the field in a north/south race track pattern. He set up for a shallow downline coming over the power lines on his second lap or fourth pass over the field with his airspeed increasing through 95 mph (30-32 inches of manifold pressure and 2,175 rpm). He began to roundout 5-10 feet above the corn, but the airplane continued its downline. He then added full power and pitched up slightly, but the airplane settled into the corn. Inspection of the accident site by the Federal Aviation Administration revealed the airplane contacted the corn crops about 309 feet north of the south power lines. The wreckage path consisted of the left spray boom located about 513 feet north of the power lines, a ground scar located about 792 feet north of the power lines, and the airplane which was 1,143 feet north of the power lines. The airplane was upright and facing towards the southwest. The airplane sustained damage to the rear fuselage, tail section and landing gear. The outboard sections of the propeller were curled backwards. Flight control and engine continuity was confirmed. The pilot stated that he had about 300 gallons of CAPTURE 2EC chemical and estimated that there were 232 gallons remaining at the time of the accident. He also reported the fuel tanks were about 2/3 full. The Great Bend, Kansas, Automated Weather Observing Station, located about 35 nautical miles north-northwest, recorded at 1055: wind 360 at 11 knots gusting to 15 knots; temperature 24 degrees Celsius (C); altimeter setting 30.05 inches of mercury. The station elevation is 1,887 feet. The density altitude was about 3,264 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N60747](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N60747-2011-11-16), registration cancelled 2011-11-16, S/N 401B-1000, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-401B - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-401B](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-401b) (registry code 0390207) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1000 - Airframe hours: 1835.6 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Farmers Spraying Service Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 14, 2002, 227.6 hours before - Departed: PTT, Pratt, KS - Destination: PTT - Airport: PTT, Pratt Industrial Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 13, 2002; seat: single; flight hours: 5,400 total, 1,505 in this make and model, 5,380 as pilot in command, 149 in the last 90 days, 89 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 11 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,200 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: GBD, 35 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 20020722017579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020722017579A), Jul 22, 2002: Airtrc AT401B, Pratt, KS, Substantial damage. (.19) On July 22, 2002, at 1040 central daylight time, an air tractor AT-401B, N60747, operated by farmers spraying service inc., was substantially damaged… ## Other investigations on N60747 (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 CEN09LA503](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA503), Aug 4, 2009: Air Tractor AT401 (N60747), Waterloo, IA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 18, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55272. 542 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 411 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463530&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo 1. FAA Photo of Accident Site (item 2, .PDF, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40187147&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20%20FAA%20Photo%20of%20Accident%20Site-Master.PDF - Photo 2. FAA Photo of Accident Site (item 3, .PDF, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40187207&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20%20FAA%20Photo%20of%20Accident%20Site-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.