# NTSB FTW90DPG11: Air Tractor AT401, N10192, Altheimer, AR, August 23, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 23, 1990, 17:20 local (22:20 UTC)
- Place: Altheimer, AR
- Coordinates: 34.309661, -91.8404 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3097&lon=-91.8404&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22944
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90DPG11
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22944/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90DPG11

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ALIGN THE AIRPLANE WITH THE RUNWAY DURING LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high vegetation
  - proper alignment - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

DURING LANDING THE LEFT WING CONTACTED TALL WEEDS ON THE EDGE OF THE RUNWAY. THIS RESULTED IN A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL; THE AIRPLANE SUBSEQUENTLY CONTACTED THE GROUND NOT PROPERLY ALIGNED AND SLID ACROSS A DITCH. THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY FACING OPPOSITE THE LANDING DIRECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N10192](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N10192), registered now, S/N 401-0731, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR AT401
- Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-401](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-401) (registry code 0390209) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Garrett TPE331-1](https://openairdocs.org/engine/garrett-tpe331-1) (registry code 29030, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 401-0731
- Airframe hours: 496
- Engines: P&W R1340-AN-1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Ag Air Inc.
- Registered owner: Ag-Air Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 28, 1989, 496 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Airport: NONE, Altheimer

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 11,000 total, 496 in this make and model, 10,900 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LIT, 35 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 19900823035329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900823035329A), Aug 23, 1990: Airtrc AT401, Althiemer, AR, Substantial damage. Wing caught on tall weeds on edge of runway while landing. Aircraft then slid into a ditch.

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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