# NTSB FTW89DRG08: Air Tractor AT-301, N4448S, Rio Hondo, TX, June 27, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: June 27, 1989, 13:35 local (18:35 UTC)
- Place: Rio Hondo, TX
- Coordinates: 26.229379, -97.579505 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.2294&lon=-97.5795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 10, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22744
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89DRG08
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22744/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89DRG08

## Probable cause

IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS BY THE PILOT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE ADVERSE WIND CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, takeoff

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT IMMEDIATELY AFTER LIFT-OFF, THERE WAS A LOSS OF LIFT THAT RESULTED IN THE LEFT WING DIPPING & CONTACTING THE GROUND. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT ROLLED & FLIPPED OVER. THE PLT BELIEVED THE ACFT HAD ENCOUNTERED WINDSHEAR. HE NOTED THAT A THUNDERSTORM WAS BUILDING IN THE VICINITY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4448S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4448S-2012-11-09), registration cancelled 2012-11-09, S/N 301-0078, built 1977 (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: 301-0078
- Airframe hours: 4746
- Engines: P&W R-1340 AN-1 550 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Farm Services, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 10, 1989, 408 hours before
- Airport: runway 18, 2,600 × 20 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 14,000 total, 6,000 in this make and model, 450 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 175° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19890627028269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890627028269A), Jun 27, 1989: Airtrc AT301, Rio Hondo, TX, Substantial damage. Left wing hit the ground on takeoff. Aircraft cartwheeled and flipped over. Blamed windshear. Rain showers in area.

## Other investigations on N4448S (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 FTW82DA286](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA286), Jul 14, 1982: Air Tractor AT-301 (N4448S), Rio Hondo, 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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