# NTSB FTW85LA330: Air Tractor AT-400, N3656N, Oak Ridge, LA, August 23, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 23, 1985, 14:25 local (19:25 UTC)
- Place: Oak Ridge, LA
- Coordinates: 32.620376, -91.770675 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6204&lon=-91.7707&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21835
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA330
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21835/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA330

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THE ACFT 'SAGGED' (SETTLED) DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION MANEUVER AND HE LEVELED THE WINGS TO LET IT RECOVER. HOWEVER, HE DID NOT ADD POWER, FLAPS, OR DUMP THE LOAD OF ALMOST 300 GALLONS OF SPRAY MATERIAL HE WAS CARRYING SINCE HE THOUGHT IT WOULD REGAIN ITS LIFT IN A MOMENT. THE CONDITION DETERIORATED EVEN FURTHER UNTIL IMPACT WITH THE GROUND OCCURRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3656N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3656N-1988-06-02), registration cancelled 1988-06-02, S/N 4000287 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR AT-400
- Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-400](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-400) (registry code 0390202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 400-0287
- Airframe hours: 1253
- Engines: P&W PT6-15 680 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: John R. Windsor
- Last inspection: Annual, April 5, 1985, 145 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 6,300 total, 3 in this make and model, 6,250 as pilot in command, 348 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 90 °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 19850823047179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850823047179A), Aug 23, 1985: Airtrc AT400, Oak Ridge, LA, Destroyed. Collided with ground after stall during a sharp turn while spraying. Did not add power or dump spray load.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.