# NTSB CHI08CA245: Air Tractor 301, N3161A, Herreid, SD, August 5, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 5, 2008, 07:45 local (12:45 UTC) - Place: Herreid, SD - Coordinates: 45.854167, -100.075279 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8542&lon=-100.0753&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Rapid City FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68924 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA245 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68924/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA245 ## Probable cause Failure of one of the tailwheel bolts on landing and the pilot's subsequent inability to maintain directional control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: nose/tail gear strut/axle](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023222): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023222/cases.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023222/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot returned for landing in the tailwheel configured airplane after an agricultural application flight. He executed a normal landing on runway 12 (2,230 feet by 200 feet, asphalt/turf) and kept the tail up as long as possible as the airplane slowed. The pilot stated that when the tailwheel touched down it felt as if the tail was dragging on the ground and the airplane drifted to the right. He applied opposite rudder but was unable to stop the drift. He subsequently applied the brakes, which spun the airplane around and brought it to a stop partially off the runway. The pilot reported that after the accident he observed a bolt securing the tailwheel had failed. The bolt was discarded and was not available for further examination. The pilot commented that he will proactively inspect and replace the tailwheel bolts before each spray season. ## Factual narrative The pilot returned for landing in the tailwheel configured airplane after an agricultural application flight. He executed a normal landing on runway 12 (2,230 feet by 200 feet, asphalt/turf) and kept the tail up as long as possible as the airplane slowed. The pilot stated that when the tailwheel touched down it felt as if the tail was dragging on the ground and the airplane drifted to the right. He applied opposite rudder but was unable to stop the drift. He subsequently applied the brakes, which spun the airplane around and brought it to a stop partially off the runway. The pilot reported that after the accident he observed a bolt securing the tailwheel had failed. The bolt was discarded and was not available for further examination. The pilot commented that he will proactively inspect and replace the tailwheel bolts before each spray season. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3161A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3161A-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N 301-0481, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor 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: AT-301-0481 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Diebert Ag Service - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 1, 2008 - Departed: 5T4, Herreid, SD - Airport: 5T4, Herreid Muni, runway 12, 2,320 × 200 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 1, 2008; seat: single; flight hours: 723 total, 723 in this make and model, 602 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: BMG ## 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 20080805843259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080805843259A), Aug 5, 2008: Airtrc AT301, Herreid, SD, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 5, 2008, pilot [privacy data omitted] was performing part 137 spray operations and landed at Herreid, SD airport. During landing he… 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.