# NTSB CHI97LA106: Air Tractor AT-401, N1008P, Highmore, SD, April 18, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 18, 1997, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Highmore, SD - Coordinates: 44.519092, -99.429054 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5191&lon=-99.4291&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 30, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10544 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA106 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10544/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA106 ## Probable cause a premature lift-off of the airplane by the pilot in command. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause) - load jettison - performed, pilot in command - climb - not possible, pilot in command - object - fence - Nose over, takeoff - initial climb ## Analysis The aircraft was loaded with 2,400 pounds of fertilizer and 100 gallons of fuel. During takeoff, it collided with a six foot high fence at the end of the runway, and flipped over. The pilot reported that the takeoff seemed normal and that no airplane discrepancies with the engine or airframe were noted during the taxi, run up, or takeoff roll. Before colliding with the fence, the pilot executed an emergency dump of the fertilizer. Reportedly, the airplane had lifted off at approximately 1,900 feet down the 2,800 foot long runway, and the airplane did not climb after lift off. Same type aircraft with similar loads under similar conditions were using approximately 80 percent of the available runway. ## Factual narrative On April 18, 1997 at 1000 central daylight time (cdt), an Air Tractor, AT-401, N1008P, was substantially damaged during takeoff from the Highmore Airport, Highmore, South Dakota. The aircraft was loaded with fertilizer and executing a takeoff from runway 12 (2,800'x150'), when it collided with a fence and flipped over. The Air Transport rated pilot received minor injures in the accident. The 14 CFR Part 137 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions and no flight plan had been filed. A transcript of a recorded interview with the pilot conducted three days after the accident was obtained by the investigator in charge (IIC). The pilot reported that the airplane was filled with 100 gallons of fuel and approximately 2,400 pounds of fertilizer. The pilot reported that the takeoff seemed normal, and that no discrepancies with the engine or airframe were noted during the taxi, run up, or takeoff roll. The pilot reported that the airplane was lifted off approximately 1,900 feet down the runway and the airplane did not seem to want to climb after lift off. The pilot reported that he realized he was not going to clear the approaching fence, and he executed an emergency dump of the fertilizer. The pilot believed that the right wing contacted the fence first, then the airplane's landing gear contacted the road which crossed the runway's end. When the pilot was asked what he believed might have caused the accident he reported that "... it might have been a shift in the wind. Maybe the runway condition being a little soft." The pilot had flown from the airport the two day previous to the accident, and no rain was reported the day prior to the accident. A inspection of the airplane and its engine was conducted following the accident by a representative of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The only discrepancy found was that two cylinders on the airplane's engine did not have compression. When these cylinders were removed from the engine, oil similar to smoke oil was found under their valves. The two cylinders which had the valves which were not seating were the cylinders which were laying inverted following the accident, and were at the lowest point of the engine. The FAA representative who examined the accident aircraft reported that similarly loaded aircraft departing under similar conditions were using approximately 80 percent of the available runway. The FAA inspector reported that the first fence the airplane hit was approximately six feet high. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1008P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1008P-2006-12-08), registration cancelled 2006-12-08, S/N 401-0701, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-401 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-401](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-401) (registry code 0390204) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 401-0701 - Airframe hours: 3500 - Engines: P&W R1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Doug Kroeplin - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1997, 37 hours before - Departed: 9D0 - Airport: 9D0, Highmore, runway 12, 2,800 × 150 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 8,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 7,800 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 9 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: PIR, 40 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 19970418006109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970418006109A), Apr 18, 1997: Airtrc AT401, Highmore, SD, Substantial damage. Aircraft departing airport, caught fence and flipped over. (.4)the aircraft was loaded with 2,400 pounds of fertilizer and 100 gallons of fuel. During takeoff,… 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.