# NTSB FTW94FA258: Air Tractor AT-301, N23358, Hunter, AR, August 1, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: August 1, 1994, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Hunter, AR - Coordinates: 35.049274, -91.119628 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0493&lon=-91.1196&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report March 27, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 18916 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94FA258 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18916/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94FA258 ## Probable cause INADVERTENT STALL DUE TO PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S OVER CONFIDENCE IN HIS PERSONAL ABILITY. ## 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) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis AT APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE PILOT TURNED OFF THE SPRAYING NOZZLES AND INITIATED A CLIMBING TURN-AROUND MANEUVER. OBSTRUCTIONS BLOCKED THE WITNESSES VIEW OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE TURN-AROUND AND IMPACT. THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST IN A VERTICAL POSITION WITH THE AIRPLANE HOPPER AND ENGINE BURIED IN 2 1/2 FEET OF WATER AND MUD IN A RICE FIELD. THE COMMERCIAL PILOT'S TRAINING INCLUDED AERIAL APPLICATION. HIS COMMERCIAL CERTIFICATE WAS OBTAINED ON MAY 18, 1994. SCHOOL PERSONNEL REPORTED THAT INSTRUCTORS CAUTIONED THE PILOT ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS TO HAVE RESPECT FOR THE AIRPLANE AND TO PERFORM A SLOW PULL UP DURING THE TURN-AROUND MANEUVER. ASSOCIATES STATED THEY OBSERVED THE PILOT PERFORM STEEP TURN-AROUND MANEUVERS ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT: On August 1, 1994, at 1030 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301, N23358, was substantially damaged while maneuvering near Hunter, Arkansas. The commercial pilot received fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight. Witnesses and the operator reported the following information. The aerial application flight departed from a private grass airstrip at the rice farm. The pilot started spraying about 0900 and was dispensing fungicide on the rice field. During the pilot's second spray run, he was dispensing the fungicide in a west to east flight path above the rice field. At approximately 50 feet above the ground, the pilot turned off the spraying nozzles and initiated a climbing turn-around maneuver. Obstructions blocked the witnesses view of the airplane during the turn around. Witnesses heard the impact, reported the accident, and assisted the pilot. PERSONNEL INFORMATION: The pilot began flight training on June 21, 1993, and obtained his private pilot rating on February 28, 1994. A review of the pilot's logbook revealed that he accumulated a total flight time of 28.6 hours (17.3 spraying training) in the PA-18-150, 20 hours of spraying training in the PA-25-235, and 31.5 hours of spraying training in the AT-301. He satisfactorily completed the commercial rating on May 18, 1994. The Pilot/Operator Report states 150 hours total time in the AT-301. During interviews, associates and training personnel reported the following information. The pilot was among the top 5 percent of the students trained in the agricultural training school. Instructors at the school had to make the pilot wear his helmet during the agricultural training. They recalled telling the pilot on numerous occasions to have respect for the airplane. They emphasized to the pilot how important it was for a slow pull up during the turn around maneuver. Associates described the pilot as wearing a cowboy hat instead of the helmet and "cowboying the airplane." They observed the pilot perform steep turn-around maneuvers on numerous occasions. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION: Local authorities stated the airplane remained intact and came to rest in a vertical position. The airplane hopper and engine was found buried in 2 1/2 feet of water and mud in the rice field. The top of the cabin was facing in an easterly direction with the leading edges of the wings resting in the rice plants. Major components were recovered prior to the on scene arrival of the investigator-in-charge. The leading edges of the wings were crushed and buckled. Horizontal stabilizer rods were separated consistent with overload. Flight control continuity was established. The engine exhibited impact damage on the cylinders and accessories. There were no anomalies found with the engine or accessories. The metal chip detector and oil filter were clean. Fuel continuity was established to the engine. The propeller blades exhibited bending and torsional twisting. Fuel tank lines were compromised. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION: Autopsy and toxicology were not ordered. ADDITIONAL DATA: The airplane was released to the operator following the investigation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N23358](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23358-1995-03-03), registration cancelled 1995-03-03, S/N 3010378 (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) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 301-0378 - Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Melvin, Larry - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 27, 1994 - Destination: AR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 19; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 400 total, 150 in this make and model, 400 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: JBR, 50 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 19940801019789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940801019789A), Aug 1, 1994: Airtrc AT301, Hunter, AR, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Stalled and crashed into muddy rice field during procedure turn around. Was warned in training. No steep turns. 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.