# NTSB DFW05CA003: Air Tractor AT-301, N8886S, Coahoma, TX, October 13, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 13, 2004, 16:50 local (21:50 UTC) - Place: Coahoma, TX - Coordinates: 32.30722, -101.342781 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3072&lon=-101.3428&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 24, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 60325 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW05CA003 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60325/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05CA003 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - precautionary landing - attempted, pilot in command - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - Main gear collapsed, landing - roll ## Analysis While spraying cotton for boll weevil eradication, the airplane developed a vibration. Thinking that the spray pump was about to sling a blade, the 3,600-hour commercial pilot elected to make a precautionary landing on a gravel road. After touch down the pilot was unable to maintain directional control and departed the right side of the road. The right wheel then contacted a dirt embankment and the airplane turned sharply to the right, resulting in the collapse of the left main landing gear. The airplane came to rest, upright, in a ditch. The winds were reported from 140 degrees at 6 knots. ## Factual narrative On October 13, 2004, approximately 1650 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301 single engine, tailwheel-equipped, agricultural airplane, N8886S, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during landing near Coahoma, Texas. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by ANF Air Service Incorporated of Garwood, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 agricultural flight. The local flight originated from Big Spring Airport (BPG) near Big Spring, Texas, approximately one hour earlier. According to the 3,600-hour pilot, while spraying cotton for boll weevil eradication, the airplane developed a vibration. Thinking that the spray pump was about to sling a blade, the pilot elected to make a precautionary landing on a gravel road. The pilot reported that after touch down, he was unable to maintain directional control and departed the right side of the road. The right wheel then contacted a dirt embankment and the airplane turned sharply to the right, resulting in the collapse of the left main landing gear. The airplane came to rest, upright, in a ditch. An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) evaluated the damage to the airplane. He reported that the fuselage was buckled and that both wings were twisted. At 1653 central daylight time, the weather observation facility at Midland International Airport (MAF) near Midland, Texas, which is located approximately 50 miles west of the accident site, reported the wind from 140 degrees at 6 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, clear of clouds, temperature 72 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 53 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure setting of 29.92 inches of Mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8886S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8886S), registered now, S/N 301-0227, built 1979 (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: 301-0227 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-1340 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: ANF Air Service Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: 21XS, BIG SPRING, TX - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; flight hours: 3,600 total, 1,630 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: MAF ## 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 20041013024289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041013024289A), Oct 13, 2004: Airtrc AT301, Cohoma, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) The flight originated out of the big spring airport at 1630 CDT approximately. No flight plan was filed. Approximately 20 minutes after take off, the… ## Other investigations on N8886S (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 FTW00LA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA168), Jun 2, 2000: Air Tractor AT-301 (N8886S), Garwood, TX, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: the loss of engine power in cruise flight as a result of the failure of the right magneto. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. 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.