# NTSB CHI04CA224: Air Tractor AT-301, N2353W, Cambridge, KS, August 12, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 12, 2004, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Cambridge, KS - Coordinates: 37.316665, -96.883331 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3167&lon=-96.8833&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 59939 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04CA224 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59939/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04CA224 ## Probable cause The pilot not jettisoning his chemical load during initial climb with the reported loss of airplane performance. Factors were the reported loss of aircraft performance and the tree. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - load jettison - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - aircraft performance - loss,partial (contributing factor) ## Analysis The aerial application airplane sustained substantial damage on impact with a tree and terrain during initial climb. The pilot's accident report stated, "When I first powered up the engine, I thought it seemed a bit rough running, but soon it straightened up. I looked down, at the manifold pressure to see if the blower was producing, and it was at 36 inches, which was normal for this aircraft. At this point, I concluded that the engine was okay and seemed to be producing adequate power. The takeoff roll was as I had expected, with rotation and liftoff at about the point it should have been. Then, the AT 301 seemed to settle back to the runway, with the tail wheel hitting first, which put the main gear back on the runway. With this bounce the AT 301 went back into the air, and I thought I was going to carry the load on out. There was no time left at this point to shut down, and I thought it was going to fly. Just after crossing the end of the runway, the plane lost altitude with the left wing catching a tree, which tore off the left aileron and immediately put me on the ground, hitting with the left wing and engine first." An on-scene examination of the wreckage revealed no pre-impact anomalies. The pilot's safety recommendation stated, "If I had an engine analyzer which could have told of a cylinder that was not up to standard - there would not have been any take off attempted. From now on any ag aircraft I fly I will have my left hand resting on the dump on take off." ## Factual narrative On August 12, 2004, about 1000 central daylight time, an Air Tractor, AT-301, N2353W, operated by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage on impact with a tree and terrain during initial climb from a private airport near Cambridge, Kansas. The aerial application flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was on file. The pilot reported minor injuries. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot's accident report stated: When I first powered up the engine, I thought it seemed a bit rough running, but soon it straightened up. I looked down, at the manifold pressure to see if the blower was producing, and it was at 36 inches, which was normal for this aircraft. At this point, I concluded that the engine was okay and seemed to be producing adequate power. The takeoff roll was as I had expected, with rotation and liftoff at about the point it should have been. Then, the AT 301 seemed to settle back to the runway, with the tail wheel hitting first, which put the main gear back on the runway. With this bounce the AT 301 went back into the air, and I thought I was going to carry the load on out. There was no time left at this point to shut down, and I thought it was going to fly. Just after crossing the end of the runway, the plane lost altitude with the left wing catching a tree, which tore off the left aileron and immediately put me on the ground, hitting with the left wing and engine first. The impact spun the aircraft around counterclockwise. The tail hit and the engine came off, which passed through the left wing, severing about 5 - 6 feet off. The plane skidded backwards about 50 feet to a stop, crumpling the tail section. I received minor injuries, and was fully aware during the entire flight. A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector performed an on-scene examination of the wreckage. No pre-impact anomalies were detected during that examination. The pilot's safety recommendation stated: If I had an engine analyzer which could have told of a cylinder that was not up to standard - there would not have been any take off attempted. From now on any ag aircraft I fly I will have my left hand resting on the dump on take off. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2353W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2353W-2012-09-06), registration cancelled 2012-09-06, S/N 301-0394, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-301 - 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: 301-0394 - Airframe hours: 3257 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Warner Ag Air L C - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 15, 2004, 40 hours before - Departed: Cambridge, KS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 15, 2003; seat: center; flight hours: 3,656 total, 34 in this make and model, 34 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: WLD, 15 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 20040812018429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040812018429A), Aug 12, 2004: Airtrc AT301, Cambridge, KS, Substantial damage. (-23) A pilot operating his at 301 airtractor under part 137 on a private asphalt airstrip crashed off the end of the runway just after becoming airborne. The… 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.