# NTSB FTW85LA039: Air Tractor AT-301, N8523S, Mission, TX, November 8, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 8, 1984, 09:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Mission, TX
- Coordinates: 26.209569, -98.310333 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.2096&lon=-98.3103&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): 21619
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA039
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21619/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA039

## 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
  - lubricating system,oil hose - overtemperature (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - lubricating system,oil hose - failure,total (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high vegetation
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - misread, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not possible, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER A LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE THE ACFT WAS LANDED DOWNWIND. DURING THE PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ACROSS PLOWED FURROWS, THE RT WING CAUGHT IN THE SUGAR CANE CROP AND THE ACFT TURNED TO THE RT, COLLAPSING THE LEFT LANDING GEAR AND DAMAGING THE LEFT WING. THE PLTS ATTENTION WAS CAUGHT BY THE SMELL OF HOT OIL DURING THE FLT. THE PLT LATER TOLD FAA INSPECTORS THAT AN OIL RETURN LINE HAD RUPTURED AND HE LANDED TO PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE RUBBER OIL LINE (HOSE) HAD BEEN SUBJECTED TO HIGH TEMPERATURES; RUDDER INSIDE THE WOVEN STEEL CASING WAS BRITTLE. THE LAST 100 HR INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED 3 FLT HOURS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8523S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8523S-2011-06-22), registration cancelled 2011-06-22, S/N 301-0135, built 1978 (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: 301-0135
- Airframe hours: 2400
- Engines: P&W R1340 ANI 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Valley Aerial Spraying Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: PHARR, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 6,670 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 6,670 as pilot in command, 220 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19841108061219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841108061219A), Nov 8, 1984: Airtrc AT301, Mission, TX, Substantial damage. Oil return hose ruptured. Made precautionary landing in field. Wing hit sugar cane, landed sideways.

## Other investigations on N8523S (3)

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 FTW95LA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA028), Oct 21, 1994: Air Tractor AT-301 (N8523S), Lubbock, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE WITH THE IRRIGATION EQUIPMENT. A FACTOR WAS PILOT FATIGUE.
- [NTSB FTW82DRG32](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DRG32), May 14, 1982: Air Tractor 301 (N8523S), Mcallen, TX, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW81FRG36](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FRG36), May 17, 1981: Air Tractor AT-301 (N8523S), Pharr, TX, 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.

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