# NTSB CHI89DEP10: Air Tractor AT-301, N5044S, Plainfield, WI, August 1, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: August 1, 1989, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Plainfield, WI
- Coordinates: 44.209003, -89.490684 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2090&lon=-89.4907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14212
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89DEP10
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14212/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89DEP10

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT WHILE CONDUCTING AERIAL APPLICATION MANEUVERS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION MANEUVER, THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED CONTROLLED FLIGHT AND IMPACTED THE TERRAIN. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED AND THE PILOT SUSTAINED FATAL INJURIES. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION FOUND NOTHING OF A MECHANICAL NATURE IN THE WRECKAGE THAT WOULD HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5044S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5044S-2018-01-23), registration cancelled 2018-01-23, S/N 301-0108, built 1977 (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: 301-0108
- Airframe hours: 5389
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Reabe Spraying Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Reabe, Roy W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 21, 1988, 192 hours before
- Departed: PVT, PLAINFIELD, WI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 7,200 total, 6,900 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 150 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OSH, 40 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 19890801026129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890801026129A), Aug 1, 1989: Airtrc AT301, Plainfield, WI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Collided with the ground while dispensing agricultural chemical spray. No witnesses.

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.

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