# NTSB ERA12CA050: Air Tractor AT-301, N3169C, McAlpin, FL, October 24, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 24, 2011, 12:10 local (16:10 UTC) - Place: McAlpin, FL - Coordinates: 30.1375, -82.889167 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1375&lon=-82.8892&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 27, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 82186 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA050 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82186/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82186 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA050 ## Probable cause The pilot's misjudgment of the airplane's distance from known transmission lines. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he had successfully completed six aerial application passes below transmission lines that ran diagonally above a rectangular agricultural field. The pilot had also successfully completed 11 or 12 similar application flights over the same field during previous years, including 1 earlier that month. As the pilot turned the airplane toward its seventh pass, sun position and spray residue on the windshield resulted in his briefly losing sight of the transmission lines. The pilot regained sight of the transmission lines and continued the pass; however, the airplane struck the lines, damaging the wing spar. The pilot did not report any preexisting mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he had successfully completed six aerial application passes below transmission lines that ran diagonally above a rectangular agricultural field. The pilot had also successfully completed 11 or 12 similar application flights over the same field during previous years, including 1 earlier that month. As the pilot turned the airplane toward its seventh pass, sun position and windshield spray residue resulted in his briefly losing sight of the transmission lines. The pilot subsequently regained sight of the transmission lines and continued the pass; however, the airplane struck the lines, damaging the wing spar, before returning to the originating airport. The pilot did not report any preexisting mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3169C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3169C-2018-01-03), registration cancelled 2018-01-03, S/N 301-0568, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC 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: 301-0568 - Engines: P&W R1340 SERIES 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Terrys Ag Service Inc - Registered owner: Terrys Ag Service Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 15, 2011 - Departed: 0FL1, Branford, FL - Destination: 0FL1, Branford, FL - Airport: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 26, 2011; seat: single; flight hours: 17,000 total, 14,000 in this make and model, 17,000 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 3 knots - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: 40J, 28 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 20111024024279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111024024279A), Oct 24, 2011: Air Tractor Inc AT-301, O'Brien, FL, Substantial damage. On October 24, 2011, aircraft N3169C, an Air tractor model at -301, struck a power line while dispensing defoliant on a crop field near O'Brien, FL. The pilot,… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 25, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82186. 373 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 373 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358532&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.