# NTSB CHI95LA278: Air Tractor AT-400, N2315Z, Hayti, MO, August 15, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 15, 1995, 09:15 local (14:15 UTC) - Place: Hayti, MO - Coordinates: 36.229976, -89.739181 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2300&lon=-89.7392&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report April 1, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9995 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA278 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9995/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA278 ## Probable cause the pilot inadvertently stalled the airplane. A factor was the reduced power setting. ## 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 - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. THE WINGS WERE CRUSHED SYMMETRICALLY AT AN ANGLE CORRESPONDING TO A PITCH OF 90 DEGREES NOSE DOWN. THE PROPELLER RPM GAGE WAS TRAPPED AT 1900 RPM AND THE TORQUE GAGE WAS TRAPPED AT ABOUT 600 FOOT POUNDS. DURING A PERSONAL INTERVIEW A PILOT WHO HAD WORKED CLOSELY WITH THE ACCIDENT PILOT, REPORTED THAT THE ACCIDENT PILOT WOULD TYPICALLY FLY TO A SPRAYING SITE AT 600 TO 700 FEET. HE SAID THE ACCIDENT PILOT WOULD TYPICALLY RETARD THE ENGINE TORQUE TO ABOUT 600 FOOT POUNDS TO PREVENT EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED DURING THE DESCENT TO THE SITE AND WOULD SUBSEQUENTLY NEED TO ADD POWER DURING MANEUVERING. ## Factual narrative On August 15, 1995, at 0915 central daylight time, an Air Tractor, AT-400 operated by Walt's Flying Service, was destroyed when it impacted the terrain while maneuvering near Hayti, Missouri. The commercial pilot sustained fatal injuries. The aerial application flight departed a private airstrip near Cooter, Missouri, about 0905 and was conducted under 14 CFR Part 137 in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was filed. The wreckage was located 8.7 nautical miles northeast of Hayti, Missouri, on the Malden VOR 134 degree radial at 23.9 nautical miles. The soybean field, which the pilot was reportedly spraying was about 1/4 mile south of the accident site. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector revealed both wings remained attached to the fuselage and both leading edges were crushed aft to the spar at an angle corresponding to a pitch of approximately 90 degrees. All primary airframe components were identified at the site. The grass surrounding the propeller crater was cut in a circle which resembled the shape of a propeller arc. The propeller was "screwed" into the ground. A strong concentration of herbicide residue was below the instrument panel. The gas generator rpm gage was trapped at a reading of approximately 100 percent. The propeller rpm gage was trapped at 1900 rpm and the torque gage was trapped at about 600 foot pounds. Examination of flight and engine control continuity revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction. The flap actuator was extended about 3/4 inch which, according to a representative of Air Tractor, corresponds to a flap position of five to ten degrees. During a personal interview, an agricultural pilot who had worked closely with the accident pilot, reported that the accident pilot would typically fly to a spraying site at 600 to 700 feet. He said the accident pilot would typically retard the engine torque to about 600 foot pounds to prevent excessive airspeed during the descent to the site and would subsequently need to add power during maneuvering. Autopsy of the pilot was conducted at the Mineral Area Regional Medical Center, Farmington, Missouri. FAA toxicological testing was negative for all tests conducted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2315Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2315Z-2012-11-29), registration cancelled 2012-11-29, S/N 400-0361, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR AT-400 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-400](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-400) (registry code 0390202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 400-0361 - Airframe hours: 6475 - Engines: P&W PT6A-15AG 680 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Lester Lewis - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 27, 1995, 164 hours before - Departed: NONE, COOTER, MO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,237 total, 661 in this make and model, 1,990 as pilot in command, 280 in the last 90 days, 120 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 8 knots - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: CGI, 60 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 19950815024089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950815024089A), Aug 15, 1995: Airtrc AT400, Black Island, MO, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft crashed while crop dustng. (-4)examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction. The wings were crushed… 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.