# NTSB CHI98LA305: Air Tractor AT-301, N4443S, Edgeley, ND, August 9, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 8, 1998, 19:45 local (Aug 9, 1998, 00:45 UTC) - Place: Edgeley, ND - Coordinates: 46.359134, -98.709365 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3591&lon=-98.7094&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43637 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA305 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43637/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA305 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain flying airspeed resulting in a stall/mush condition during the initial climb. Contributing factors were the high density altitude, high aircraft weight, and pilot's delayed jettison of the load, as well as the roadway and crop. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor) - stall/mush - encountered, pilot in command - load jettison - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - roadway/highway (contributing factor) - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor) ## Analysis The agricultural aircraft's certificated gross weight was 5,000 pounds. The pilot reported departing at 5,895 pounds. The temperature was 84 degrees F. with light and variable winds, and the pilot reported that the crash was a result of high density altitude. The pilot departed from a 2,485-foot asphalt runway to the west. He stated that 'Upon reaching the end of the runway, I proceeded to pull up. The a/c [aircraft] went into a 3pt attitude. I began to dump my load. The a/c flew in an uncontrolled manner for 100 yds then the right wing struck a gravel road sending me sideways into a cornfield for 300 ft then the a/c came to a stop.' ## Factual narrative On August 8, 1998, at 1945 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301, N4443S, operated by a commercial pilot, received substantial damage on collision with crops and terrain during takeoff on runway 26 (2,485 feet by 30 feet, asphalt/turf/aggregate friction seal coat) at Edgeley Municipal Airport near Edgeley, North Dakota. As the aircraft lost altitude the pilot realized that the load was too heavy and dropped the load. The aircraft hit the ground twice and rolled into a cornfield. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 Part 137 local agricultural flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated at Edgely Municipal Airport. In a written statement, the pilot reported the following: "...I attempted a takeoff to the west. I had 40 gallons of fuel and 250 gal. of H2O in the hopper. Upon reaching the end of the runway, I proceeded to pull up. The a/c went into a 3pt attitude. I began to dump my load. The a/c flew in an uncontrolled manner for 100 yds then the right wing struck a gravel road sending me sideways into a cornfield for 300 ft then the a/c came to a stop." The pilot also reported that the crash was a result of density altitude. According to a Federal Aviation Inspector, the pilot stated to the highway patrol that he had 320 gallons of product. The aircraft was loaded to 5,895 lbs. The temperate was 84 degrees F with light and variable winds at the time of the accident. The aircraft had a certified gross weight of 5,000 lbs. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4443S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4443S-2013-04-16), registration cancelled 2013-04-16, S/N 301-0103, built 1977 (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: 103 - Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Tom Kiefer - Registered owner: Northland Aviation Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Airport: 51D, Edgeley Municipal, runway 26, 2,485 × 35 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 2,800 total, 1,400 in this make and model, 2,600 as pilot in command, 500 in the last 90 days, 150 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Wind: 180° at 8 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: JMS, 32 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 19980808020119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980808020119A), Aug 8, 1998: Airtrc AT301, Edgeley, ND, Destroyed. Acft took off and began losing altitude. Load was probably too heavy and dropped the load. (-23) pilot attempted takeoff westbound runway 26. Pilot stated he… 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.