# NTSB CHI94LA241: Air Tractor AT-301, N7301Y, Eckelson, ND, July 23, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 23, 1994, 06:45 local (11:45 UTC)
- Place: Eckelson, ND
- Location: 46.9380° N, 98.3331° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Eckelson, ND, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9380&lon=-98.3331&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 25, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9605
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA241
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9605/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA241

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a transmission wire. A factor associated with the accident is the transmission wire.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS MAKING A FINAL AERIAL APPLICATION RUN OVER A FIFTY ACRE FIELD. AS HE CROSSED OVER A TRANSMISSION WIRE WHICH BORDERED THE FIELD, THE MAIN LANDING GEAR SNAGGED A WIRE, AND THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED UNCONTROLLABLY TO GROUND COLLISION.

## Factual narrative

On July 23, 1994, about 0645 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301 airplane, N7301Y, sustained substantial damage when it collided with a transmission wire and terrain near Eckelson, North Dakota.  The solo commercial pilot aboard received minor injuries.  The aerial application flight operated without flight plan in visual meteorological conditions under 14 CFR Part 137.

The pilot reported he was making a final swath run and was crossing above transmission lines which bisected the field.  When he felt that he had cleared the lines, he nosed the airplane over to lose altitude.  One wheel of the main landing gear struck a transmission line during the descent.  The pilot was unable to maintain control of the airplane and collided with terrain.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7301Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7301Y-1999-03-29), registration cancelled 1999-03-29, S/N 301-0590 (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: 301-0590
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Kevin Hoggarth
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: 8ND8, JAMESTOWN, ND

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, unknown; seat: center; flight hours: 2,035 total, 850 in this make and model, 1,950 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JMS, 16 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 19940723019589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940723019589A), Jul 23, 1994: Airtrc AT301, Eckelson, ND, Substantial damage. Struck power line with gear on final spray run. Impacted ground.

## Other investigations on N7301Y (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 CHI98LA236](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA236), Jul 3, 1998: Air Tractor AT301 (N7301Y), Langdon, ND, substantial damage. Probable cause: the total loss of engine power for reasons undetermined. A factor was rough and uneven terrain.

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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