# NTSB FTW00LA012: Air Tractor AT-301, N23930, Olton, TX, October 14, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 14, 1999, 10:13 local (15:13 UTC) - Place: Olton, TX - Coordinates: 34.169685, -102.130271 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1697&lon=-102.1303&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 21, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49856 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA012 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49856/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA012 ## Probable cause The inflight separation of the propeller blade due to damage from a wire strike. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering - aerial application - propeller system/accessories,blade - blade strike (cause) - propeller system/accessories,blade - separation (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis During an aerial application flight, one of the propeller blades of the agricultural airplane separated approximately midspan. The airplane began to shake violently, and the pilot executed a forced landing in a field. During the landing roll, the pilot applied the brakes to avoid colliding with an irrigation pipe, and the airplane nosed over and came to rest in the inverted position. Examination of the propeller, by an FAA inspector, revealed that it appeared to be damaged due to a wire strike. However, there were no broken high wires found in the immediate area of the accident site, and the pilot did not recall striking any wires. It could not be determined whether the damage had occurred just prior to the blade failure or if the blade had been damaged and not properly repaired prior to the flight. ## Factual narrative On October 14, 1999, at 1013 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301 agricultural airplane, N23930, owned and operated by Burkett Flying Service of Sinton, Texas, nosed over during a forced landing following the in-flight separation of a portion of one propeller blade near Olton, Texas. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the airline transport pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 local aerial application flight. The airplane departed from Littlefield, Texas, at 0820. According to the pilot and the FAA inspector, who conducted an on site examination, the airplane was applying insecticide to cotton crops as part of the federally sponsored boll weevil eradication program. The airplane began to shake violently, and the pilot executed a forced landing in a field. During the landing roll, the pilot applied the brakes to avoid colliding with an irrigation pipe, and the airplane nosed over and came to rest in the inverted position. The top of the vertical stabilizer and rudder were crushed. Additionally, the engine mount was damaged, and the engine cowling was missing. The propeller remained attached to the engine. One of the propeller blades was intact, and the other blade was separated approximately midspan. The separated section of blade was not recovered. The engine cowling was recovered approximately 3/4-mile from the accident site. A closer examination of the propeller, by another FAA inspector, revealed that it "appeared to have suffered damage caused by a wire strike; however, there were no broken high wires in the immediate area of the crash. The pilot did not recall striking any wires." The inspector stated that "it could not be determined whether the damage had occurred just prior to the blade failure or if it had been damaged and not properly repaired prior to operation." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N23930](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23930-2011-01-27), registration cancelled 2011-01-27, S/N 301-0465, built 1982 (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: 301-0465 - Airframe hours: 5600 - Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Burkett Flying Service - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: Q00, LITTLEFIELD, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 15,800 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 0 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 0 ft - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 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 19991014044239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991014044239A), Oct 14, 1999: Airtrc AT301, Olton, TX, No damage. (-23) On October 14, 1999, at 1013 CDT air tractor model AT-301, N23930, owned and oeprated by burkett flying service made a forced landing in a cotton field… ## Other investigations on N23930 (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 MIA86LA183](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86LA183), Jun 14, 1986: Air Tractor AT-301 (N23930), Vaiden, MS, substantial damage 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.