# NTSB FTW90DRG04: Air Tractor AT-301, N3653W, Mission, TX, July 2, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1990, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Mission, TX
- Coordinates: 26.209878, -98.310752 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.2099&lon=-98.3108&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22994
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90DRG04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22994/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90DRG04

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER CLEARANCE ABOVE THE CROPS HE WAS SPRAYING. A FACTOR WAS THE TREE INDUCED MECHANICAL TURBULENCE ENCOUNTERED DURING THE DESCENDING TURN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - terrain condition - crop
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER SPRAYING THE FIELD THE PILOT WAS 'CLEANING UP THE END' AND WAS FLYING ON THE LEE SIDE OF TREES WHEN HE FELT THE LEFT WING DROP. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, EITHER THE LANDING GEAR OR THE LEFT WING CAUGHT IN THE 3 1/2 FOOT TALL GRAIN, AND HE WAS UNABLE TO RAISE THE WING. THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST ABOUT 165 YARDS AFTER INITAIL TERRAIN IMPACT. THE PILOT FELT THAT HE ENCOUNTERED MECHANICAL TURBULENCE, CAUSING THE INITIAL LOSS OF CONTROL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3653W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3653W-2010-08-09), registration cancelled 2010-08-09, S/N 301-0274, built 1980 (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: 301-0274
- Airframe hours: 3017
- Engines: P&W R-1340 AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Putz Aero, Inc
- Registered owner: Hopson Putz Dusting Svc, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 19, 1990, 291 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 13,526 total, 4,065 in this make and model, 13,372 as pilot in command, 138 in the last 90 days, 41 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 8 knots, gusting 15
- Lowest ceiling: 2,700 ft broken
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 90 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

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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