# NTSB CHI98LA118: Air Tractor AT-401, N1008T, Highmore, SD, April 3, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 3, 1998, 09:10 local (15:10 UTC) - Place: Highmore, SD - Coordinates: 44.519844, -99.429283 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5198&lon=-99.4293&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 19, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10848 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA118 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10848/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA118 ## Probable cause the pilot failed to abort the takeoff in a timely manner and could not stop on the runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - roll/run - powerplant - undetermined - fuel system - contamination,water - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - soft - aborted takeoff - improper, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll he noticed the airplane was not accelerating normally. He reported that he checked the manifold pressure and RPM's, and that the RPM's were low. He checked the propeller control at full forward. The pilot reported that he veered to the right to avoid a highway at the end of the runway. The airplane went through a fence and into a pasture, breaking the left landing gear as it slid to a stop. The airplane was inspected. The engine was started and run to approximately 1,800 RPM and the operation appeared normal. A small amount of water was drained from the right fuel cell. ## Factual narrative On April 3, 1998, at 0910 central standard time, an Air Tractor AT-401, N1008T, operated by Kroeplin Ag Service, was substantially damaged when the airplane veered off the runway during the takeoff roll and went through a ditch. The commercial pilot was not injured. The CFR Part 137 flight was departing a grass airstrip near Highmore, South Dakota, on a local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll he noticed the airplane was not accelerating normally. He reported that he checked the manifold pressure and RPM's, and that the RPM's were low. He checked the propeller control at full forward. The pilot reported that he veered to the right to avoid a highway at the end of the runway. The airplane went through a fence and into a pasture, breaking the left landing gear as it slid to a stop. The airplane was inspected. The engine was started and run to approximately 1,800 RPM and the operation appeared normal. A small amount of water was drained from the right fuel cell. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1008T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1008T-2012-04-13), registration cancelled 2012-04-13, S/N 401-0703, 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: 401-0703 - Airframe hours: 4199 - Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Krechard Kroeplin L.L.C. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, October 6, 1997, 20 hours before - Departed: 9DO - Airport: 9D0, Highmore Municipal, runway 12, 2,800 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 12,500 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 12,200 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 36 °F - Observed at: PIR, 37 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 19980403005879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980403005879A), Apr 3, 1998: Airtrc AT401, Highmore, SD, Substantial damage. Emtled during climbout from grass strip. Went thru a ditch. (.4)the pilot reported that during the takeoff roll he noticed the airplane was not accelerating… 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.