# NTSB CHI96LA258: Air Tractor AT-301, N8837S, Liberal, KS, July 28, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1996, 19:20 local (Jul 28, 1996, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: Liberal, KS
- Coordinates: 37.039325, -100.929389 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0393&lon=-100.9294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 23, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10328
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA258
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10328/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA258

## Probable cause

the pilot did not maintain aircraft control.  A factor was a low altitude flight maneuver was performed.

## Sequence of events

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

- Vortex turbulence encountered, maneuvering - aerial application
  - low altitude flight/maneuver - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application

## Analysis

While completing the last spraying pass, the pilot made a 270 degree right turn to spray the last area in the field. The pilot said he flew back through his prop wash and lost control of the airplane.  The airplane impacted the terrain in a vertical angle.

## Factual narrative

On July 27, 1996, at 1920 central daylight time (cdt), an Air Tractor AT-301, N8837S, owned and operated by a commercial pilot, was destroyed during a collision with terrain while conducting aerial spraying.  The pilot reported serious injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  The 14 CFR Part 137 flight was not operating on a flight plan.  The flight departed Liberal, Kansas, at 1845 cdt.

According to the pilot's written statement, after spraying a field, the pilot made a 270 degree right turn to spray the last area of the field.  The pilot stated, "When I reentered the field, I must have flown back through my prop wash causing me to lose control of the aircraft, causing me to hit the ground at a vertical angle."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8837S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8837S-2018-01-17), registration cancelled 2018-01-17, S/N 301-0211, built 1979 (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: 301-0211
- Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Shannon Dickson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: LBL
- Destination: LBL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 8,189 total, 4,500 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DDC, 31 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 19960727020199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960727020199A), Jul 27, 1996: Airtrc AT301, Liberal, KS, Destroyed. During procedure turn to reverse spray path. Lost control. Impacted vertically. Pilot beleives entered prop wash.

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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