# NTSB CHI94LA193: Air Tractor AT-301, N2344T, Levant, KS, June 5, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 4, 1994, 19:00 local (Jun 5, 1994, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Levant, KS - Coordinates: 39.370662, -101.250144 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3707&lon=-101.2501&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 12, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9562 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA193 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9562/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA193 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE EVALUATION OF WEATHER CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH KNOWN THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY. FACTORS WERE THE THUNDERSTORM AND DOWNDRAFTS. ## 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 - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor) - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor) - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis THE PILOT WAS MAKING A SWATH RUN WHEN HE REALIZED THAT THE AIRPLANE'S PERFORMANCE WAS DEGRADING. HE ADDED FULL POWER, FLAPS, AND DUMPED HIS LOAD OF CHEMICALS, BUT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN FLIGHT. HE STATED THAT A THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED FIVE TO SEVEN MILES NORTH-NORTHEAST OF HIS LOCATION. ## Factual narrative On June 4, 1994, at 1900 mountain daylight time an Air Tractor, Inc., AT-301, N2344T, registered to Dan Barker of Brewster, Kansas, and operated by a commercial pilot, impacted the terrain and was destroyed by impact and a post accident fire while conducting an aerial application. The pilot reported minor injuries. The CFR 14 Part 137 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The local flight departed Brewster, Kansas, at approximately 1840. The pilot stated that during the first swath run he noticed that the airplane performed poorly as he rolled the airplane out onto a north heading. He stated there was a thunderstorm approximately 5-7 miles north and east of his location. He stated he felt he was experiencing a downdraft and attempted to level the wings. He added full power, full RPM, flaps and then dumped his load of chemicals in an attempt to maintain flight; however, these were unsuccessful in maintaining flight. He stated that he attempted to land wings level; however, the left wing collided with the terrain first followed by the nose gear. He stated that when the airplane came to rest a fire had begun and shortly after he exited the airplane it was consumed in the fire. The pilot indicated that there was a light rain occurring at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2344T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2344T-1997-02-18), registration cancelled 1997-02-18, S/N 3010387 (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) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 301-0387 - Airframe hours: 2786 - Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Barker, Dan - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, October 10, 1993, 150 hours before - Departed: NONE, BREWSTER, KS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 7,200 total, 1,800 in this make and model, 7,000 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: GLD, 18 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 19940604013809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940604013809A), Jun 4, 1994: Airtrc AT301, Levant, KS, Destroyed. During procedure turn encountered downdraft. Dumped load but wing hit ground. Aircraft cartwheeled. ## Other investigations on N2344T (1) 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. - [NTSB FTW84LA324](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA324), Jul 26, 1984: Air Tractor AT-301 (N2344T), Abernathy, TX, substantial damage 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.