# NTSB FTW83LA394: Air Tractor AT301, N4369S, El Campo, TX, August 25, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 25, 1983, 14:50 local (19:50 UTC)
- Place: El Campo, TX
- Coordinates: 29.190042, -96.270561 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.1900&lon=-96.2706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21026
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA394
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21026/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA394

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - wind information - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - temperature extremes (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - load jettison - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - abort - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
- Nose over, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A BERM DAM DURING TAKEOFF AND CARTWHEELED INTO A RICE FIELD. THE ACFT CARRIED HEAVIER FERTILIZER ON THIS PARTICULAR TAKEOFF AND WITH INCREASING AIR TEMPERATURES, THE PLT KNEW HE WAS NOT GOING TO MAKE IT AND DUMPED THE LOAD. THE DUMP GATE WAS SMALL AND BEFORE THE LOAD JETTISON COULD BE EFFECTIVE THE LANDING GEAR HIT A DIRT BANK WHICH TRIPPED THE ACFT INTO NOSING DOWN. THE PLT SAID THAT THE WIND ALSO SHIFTED DURING THE TAKEOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4369S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4369S-2002-04-26), registration cancelled 2002-04-26, S/N 301-0049, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR AT301
- 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: 0049
- Airframe hours: 2847
- Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Coastal Flying Service Inc.
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1983
- Airport: 6T8, Norris Raun, runway 17, 2,630 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 17,500 total, 350 in this make and model, 17,370 as pilot in command, 165 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 75 °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 19830825049179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830825049179A), Aug 25, 1983: Airtrc AT301, El Campo, TX, Substantial damage. Unable to lift off from a soft wet field. Dumped load but struck a terrace off end of runway and overturned.

## Other investigations on N4369S (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 FTW89DPJ03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89DPJ03), Apr 7, 1989: Air Tractor 301 (N4369S), Jefferson, OK, substantial damage. Probable cause: LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, DUE TO A CRACKED NUMBER 4 CYLINDER. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE TERRACE (DIRT BANK) IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

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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