# NTSB DEN92LA062: Air Tractor AT-301, N3649D, Rocky Ford, CO, June 20, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 20, 1992, 06:25 local (12:25 UTC)
- Place: Rocky Ford, CO
- Coordinates: 38.039981, -103.720024 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0400&lon=-103.7200&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18217
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN92LA062
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18217/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN92LA062

## Probable cause

THE PILOTS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE DUE TO SPATIAL DISORIENTATION. FACTORS WERE:  LOW OVERCAST SKIES AND GROUND FOG.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - terrain condition - open field
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE FLYING BETWEEN FIELDS ON AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT, THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A SHALLOW DIVE WITH POWER ON THE ENGINE.  WEATHER AT THE TIME WAS 800 FEET OVERCAST SKIES AND GROUND FOG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3649D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3649D-1992-10-19), registration cancelled 1992-10-19, S/N 3010234 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 301-0234
- Engines: P&W R-1340AN-1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: C & L Flying Service
- Registered owner: C & L Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 1900, 226 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 10,249 total, 3,290 in this make and model, 141 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19920620021219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920620021219A), Jun 20, 1992: Airtrc AT301, Rocky Ford, CO, Destroyed, 1 fatal. En route from spraying field to another. Descended wings level to ground impact. Impact disintegrated aircraft.

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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