# NTSB FTW85LA256: Air Tractor AT-301, N23692, Brownsville, TX, June 14, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 14, 1985, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Brownsville, TX
- Location: 25.9017° N, 97.4975° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Brownsville, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.9017&lon=-97.4975&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21775
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA256
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21775/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA256

## 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
  - flt control syst,aileron control - disconnected (cause)
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - open field (cause)
  - terrain condition - wet (cause)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (cause)

## Analysis

THE AG ACFT WAS DESTROYED WHEN IT FAILED TO PULL OUT OF AN AERIAL APPLICATION MANEUVER FOLLOWING THE INITIAL SWATH RUN OVER A FIELD. THE PLT STATED THAT AFTER MAKING HIS TURN TO RETURN TO THE FIELD, HE ATTEMPTED TO LEVEL THE ACFT AND RECEIVED NO RESPONSE FROM THE ELEVATOR CONTROLS. THE OPERATOR'S POST-ACDT EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT AN 'AN-410' BOLT WAS MISSING BETWEEN THE ELEVATOR TORQUE TUBE AND THE ELEVATOR HORNS. THE BOLT AND LOCK NUT WERE NOT FOUND IN THE WRECKAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N23692 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR AT-301
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3010417
- Airframe hours: 815
- Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Ag Air, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1985, 66 hours before
- Departed: LOS FRESNOS, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 4,228 total, 1,395 in this make and model, 4,228 as pilot in command, 66 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BRO, 5 nm away

## 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 19850614025419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850614025419A), Jun 14, 1985: Airtrc AT301, Brownsville, TX, Destroyed. An 410 bolt attaching elevator torque tube to horn missing. No pitch control, hit ground. Chemical exposure injury.

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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