# NTSB ERA22LA255: Air Tractor AT-400A, N3658T, Pemberton Township, NJ, June 1, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: June 1, 2022, 17:20 local (21:20 UTC)
- Place: Pemberton Township, NJ
- Coordinates: 39.944342, -74.629851 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9443&lon=-74.6299&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 105174
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA255
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105174/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105174
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA255

## Probable cause

The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing and a subsequent loss of control.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-400A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=0390203), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-400A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0390203), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-400A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0390203), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-400A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=0390203), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-400A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=0390203), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-400A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=0390203), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-400A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=0390203), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that on final approach, he “started the flare too late,” which resulted in a “high bounce.” He attempted to recover, however the airplane “bounce[d]” again. The pilot initiated a go around, but with the “high angle of attack” of the airplane, he “lost control.” The airplane veered off the side of the runway and impacted a ditch, which sheared off the main landing gear, and resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3658T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3658T-2024-01-13), registration cancelled 2024-01-13, S/N 301-0323, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT-400A
- Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-400A](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-400a) (registry code 0390203) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A-27 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-27-series) (registry code 52141, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 301-0323
- Year built: 1980
- Airframe hours: 10392
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-27 680 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Jersey Devil Dusters LLC
- Registered owner: Jersey Devil Dusters LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 10, 2022
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: N/A, Private Airstrip, runway NA, 2,200 × 75 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 5, 2021; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 532 total, 5 in this make and model, 511 as pilot in command, 61 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,400 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observed at: WRI, 5 nm away
- METAR: KWRI 012121Z AUTO 08012KT 10SM BKN014 21/17 A2988 RMK AO2 SLP11

## 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 20220601005089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220601005089A), Jun 1, 2022: Air Tractor Inc AT-400A, Pemberton, NJ, Substantial damage. While landing at the agricultural operators main operating base the pilot landed hard, bounced twice, lost control and veered to the right and impacted a ditch.

## Other investigations on N3658T (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 FTW91DRD04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91DRD04), May 10, 1991: Air Tractor AT 301 (N3658T), Lake Providence, LA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS RESULTING IN A FORCED LANDING AND NOSE OVER ON LANDING.

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 14, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105174. 4.5 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14046376&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Investigation%20Form%20LA255%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14046429&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=June%201st,%202022%20Accident%20Statement-Matthew%20Moore%20-Rel.pdf
- Investigative photographs (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 2 photos, 934 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14046163&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20LA255-Rel.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.