# NTSB FTW84LA324: Air Tractor AT-301, N2344T, Abernathy, TX, July 26, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 26, 1984, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Abernathy, TX
- Coordinates: 33.830959, -101.83905 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8310&lon=-101.8391&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21409
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA324
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21409/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA324

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - altitude - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear attachment - separation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE BANK OF A DRAINAGE DITCH IN A FIELD DURING A SPRAY OPERATION AT WHICH TIME THE LEFT MAIN GEARWAS KNOCKED OFF THE ACFT. A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING WAS MADE DURING WHICH THE ACFT GROUND LOOPED AND THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2344T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2344T-1997-02-18), registration cancelled 1997-02-18, S/N 3010387 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 301-0387
- Engines: P&W R-1340-ANI 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Stephens Aerial Spraying Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 10, 1984
- Airport: F83, Abernathy, runway 17, 3,960 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 2,538 total, 76 in this make and model, 34 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F

## 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 19840726034849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840726034849A), Jul 26, 1984: Airtrc AT301, Abernathy, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot claims aircraft wheel hit hidden obstruction during spraying operation. Crash occurred during landing.

## Other investigations on N2344T (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 CHI94LA193](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA193), Jun 5, 1994: Air Tractor AT-301 (N2344T), Levant, KS, destroyed. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE EVALUATION OF WEATHER CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH KNOWN THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY. FACTORS WERE THE THUNDERSTORM AND DOWNDRAFTS.

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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