# NTSB CHI05LA188: Air Tractor AT-301, N3159N, Langdon, ND, July 15, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 14, 2005, 21:30 local (Jul 15, 2005, 02:30 UTC) - Place: Langdon, ND - Coordinates: 48.786666, -98.356666 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.7867&lon=-98.3567&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report May 30, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - Fargo FDSO - NTSB case key (mKey): 62063 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI05LA188 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62063/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05LA188 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain while attempting an abrupt turning maneuver at a low altitude. ## 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) - maneuver - abrupt, pilot in command (cause) - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor) - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The agricultural airplane impacted terrain while maneuvering at a low altitude during an aerial application flight. The airplane was spraying a field of canola with fungicide just prior to the accident. The land owner reported that after a spray-run the airplane continued about a half mile beyond the end of the field before pitching-up. An agricultural pilot, who was operating near the accident site, saw the airplane "take a straight line up and arch across the top violently and then it appeared to go straight down." The pilot stated that the airplane did not climb higher than 200 feet above ground level before abruptly pitching to the right and entering the nose low attitude. The wreckage was located in a level, open field. The aircraft engine was impacted into the field to a depth of approximately four feet. Flight control continuity was established between all flight control surfaces and the cockpit. No anomalies were found that could be determined to have existed prior to impact. ## Factual narrative On July 14, 2005, at 2130 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301, N3159N, piloted by a commercial pilot, was destroyed during impact with terrain near Langdon, North Dakota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The aerial application flight was operating under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 137 without a flight plan. The pilot was fatally injured. The flight departed Robertson Field Airport (D55), Langdon, North Dakota, at an unconfirmed time. The airplane was spraying a field of canola with fungicide just prior to the accident, according to the land owner. The land owner reported that after a spray-run the airplane continued about a half mile beyond the end of the field before pitching-up. The witness did not see the airplane impact the ground due to a ridgeline which obstructed his view of the accident site. An agricultural pilot, who was operating near the accident site, saw the airplane "take a straight line up and arch across the top violently and then it appeared to go straight down." The pilot stated that the airplane did not climb higher than 200 feet above ground level before abruptly pitching to the right and entering the nose low attitude. The pilot did not see the airplane impact the ground due to a ridgeline which obstructed his view of the airplane. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors performed the on-site examination of the wreckage. The wreckage was located in a level, open field. The aircraft engine was impacted into the field to a depth of approximately four feet. The FAA inspectors reported that flight control continuity was established between all flight control surfaces and the cockpit. No anomalies were found that could be determined to have existed prior to impact. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3159N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3159N-2015-05-19), registration cancelled 2015-05-19, S/N 301-0469, built 1982 (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: 301-0469 - Airframe hours: 4234.7 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R1340-AN1 550 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Border Aviation, LLP - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2005, 74.7 hours before - Departed: D55, Langdon, ND - Destination: D55 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; injuries: fatal; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,050 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: DVL, 43 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 20050714022829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050714022829A), Jul 14, 2005: Airtrc AT301, Langdon, ND, Destroyed, 1 fatal. (-23) Witnesses reported that the pilot had completed the last swath run after applying chemical to a field of canola. The aircraft continued beyond the end of… 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.