# NTSB FTW85LA298: Air Tractor AT301, N23257, Bonita, LA, July 25, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 25, 1985, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Bonita, LA
- Coordinates: 32.910907, -91.669143 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9109&lon=-91.6691&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): 21809
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA298
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21809/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA298

## Sequence of events

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

- Vortex turbulence encountered, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Nose over, other

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED HE WAS THE SECOND OF TWO ACFT IN A FORMATION TAKEOFF AND HE ENCOUNTERED SEVERE WAKE TURBULENCE FROM THE OTHER ACFT (SAME TYPE). HE STATED THAT HE DUMPED HIS LOAD OF CHEMICALS BUT COULD NOT GET ABOVE THE PWR CURVE AND THE ACFT SETTLED INTO A BEAN FLD WHILE IN A THREE POINT ATTITUDE AND FLIPPED INVERTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N23257](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N23257), registered now, S/N 301-0371 (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 R-1340-AN-1](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-1340-an-1) (registry code 51612, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 301-0371
- Airframe hours: 2075
- Engines: P&W R1340-AN1 650 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Steven W. Mccready
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1985
- Departed: BONITA, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 4,228 total, 1,492 in this make and model, 4,228 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Temperature: 84 °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 19850725070509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850725070509A), Jul 25, 1985: Airtrc AT301, Bonita, LA, Substantial damage. During tandem takeoff encountered wake turbulance. Aircraft settled to ground and flipped over.

## Other investigations on N23257 (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 CEN13LA265](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA265), May 8, 2013: Air Tractor AT-301 (N23257), Lyons, KS, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's diverted attention after the door hinge failed and a piece of door glass struck the pilot, resulting in the airplane's descent into the crops and impact with terrain.

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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