# NTSB CHI93LA157: Air Tractor AT301A, N3162A, Solomon, KS, May 12, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 12, 1993, 07:00 local (12:00 UTC)
- Place: Solomon, KS
- Coordinates: 38.909252, -97.370429 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9093&lon=-97.3704&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15708
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA157
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15708/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA157

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ON WHICH TO TAKEOFF AND HIS DELAY IN ABORTING THE TAKEOFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, takeoff - roll/run
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted
  - terrain condition - ditch
- Nose over, takeoff - aborted

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF FROM A PRIVATE SOD AIRSTRIP AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF RAIN.  THE AIRPLANE DID NOT BECOME AIRBORNE DURING THE GROUND RUN AND THE PILOT PULLED BACK THE POWER TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF.  THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED OFF THE END OF THE AIRSTRIP WHERE IT CONTACTED A DITCH AND NOSED OVER.  THE PILOT STATED HE KNEW THE AIRSTRIP WAS WET AND SOFT, AND THAT WAS WHY HE DID NOT ATTEMPT TO TAKEOFF WITH A LOAD OF CHEMICALS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3162A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3162A-1998-12-02), registration cancelled 1998-12-02, S/N 3010524 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR AT301A
- Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-301) (registry code 0390103) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 301-0524
- Engines: P&W R1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Skytractor, Inc.
- Registered owner: Skytractor, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Destination: 47K, MOUNDRIDGE, KS
- Airport: NONE, Private, runway 36, 2,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 5,890 total, 573 in this make and model, 55 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F

## 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 19930512013309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930512013309A), May 12, 1993: Airtrc AT301, Solomon, KS, Substantial damage. Unable to lift off soft wet strip. Aborted too late. Ran off end. Struck a ditch. Nosed over.

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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