# NTSB CHI98LA290: Air Tractor AT-301, N3659T, Mentha, MI, July 31, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 31, 1998, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Mentha, MI - Coordinates: 42.400249, -86.270835 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4002&lon=-86.2708&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 19, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43591 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA290 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43591/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA290 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper inflight decision to land the airplane on the gravel covered road with an uneven surface that had corn growing next to its edge. A factor in this accident was the pilot selecting an unsuitable landing area. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - crop - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor) - terrain condition - rough/uneven - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot of an aerial applicator airplane landed his airplane on a road that had an uneven surface and was covered with lose gravel. The road had mature corn growing along its edges. The pilot said his left wing tip struck the corn as the airplane touched down. Furrows in the gravel showed the airplane had turned about 45-degrees to the left shortly after touch down. The furrows continued into and through a ditch and into the corn where the airplane came to a stop. ## Factual narrative On July 31, 1998, at 1500 eastern daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301, N3659T, piloted by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with mature corn and a ditch after it veered off a gravel road's left side shortly after touching down for landing. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight had departed the same gravel road near Mentha, Michigan, exact time unknown. The pilot said his airplane's left wingtip collided with mature corn growing next to the road he was landing on when the airplane touched down. The on-scene investigation revealed the road's surface was uneven and covered with about 1/4 to 1/2- inch of lose gravel with hard-packed dirt underneath. Furrows in the gravel showed the airplane had turned about 45-degrees to the left shortly after touch down. The furrows were made by the airplane's main landing gear tires. The furrows continued through the ditch and into the corn where the airplane came to rest. N3659T's right wing was bent upward about 10-degrees beyond its normal dihedral angle. The right main landing gear leg had been pushed in toward the center of the airplane's fuselage. The leading edges of both wings had multiple dents ranging between 2 and 4-inches deep. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3659T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3659T), registered now, S/N 301-0329, built 1981 (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: 301-0329 - Airframe hours: 6417 - Engines: P&W R-1340AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Robertson Crop Dusting Service - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 2, 1997, 300 hours before - Departed: RLA - Destination: RLA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 3,417 total, 300 in this make and model, 3,407 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 19980731019399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980731019399A), Jul 31, 1998: Airtrc AT301, Mentha, MI, Substantial damage. Veered off road into ditch and cornfield landing. Bent wings and gear. (.4)the pilot of an aerial applicator airplane landed his airplane on a road that had an… ## Other investigations on N3659T (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 CHI03LA170](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA170), Jun 20, 2003: Air Tractor AT-301 (N3659T), Covert, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: Failure of the pilot to verify fuel quantity prior to the accident flight, and fuel exhaustion resulting in a loss of engine power. Contributing factors were the soft, rough, unsuitable terrain for a… 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.