# NTSB FTW94LA086: Air Tractor AT400, N3652D, Widener, AR, February 27, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 27, 1994, 15:10 local (21:10 UTC) - Place: Widener, AR - Coordinates: 35.019123, -90.680206 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0191&lon=-90.6802&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19002 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA086 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19002/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA086 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S LOSS OF CONTROL FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. ## 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 - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis THE AERIAL APPLICATION PILOT LOST CONTROL FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS WHILE MANEUVERING. EACH FLIGHT WAS TAKING APPROXIMATELY FIFTEEN MINUTES. WHEN THE AIRPLANE DID NOT RETURN AT ITS EXPECTED TIME OF RETURN, A CREW WAS DISPATCHED TO THE JOB SITE WHERE THE AIRCRAFT WAS FOUND INVERTED AND BURNING. THERE WERE NO WITNESSES TO THE ACCIDENT; HOWEVER, A PERSON SAW THE AIRPLANE MANEUVERING PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, AND SAW SMOKE AFTER THE AIRPLANE HAD IMPACTED THE TERRAIN. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE AND MAINTENANCE RECORDS DID NOT DISCLOSE ANY MAINTENANCE ANOMALIES. FLIGHT CONTROL CONTINUITY WAS ESTABLISHED. THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST IN THE INITIAL IMPACT CRATER. ## Factual narrative On February 27, 1994, at approximately 1510 central standard time, an Air Tractor AT400, N3652D, was destroyed following a loss of control while maneuvering near Widener, Arkansas. The commercial pilot sustained fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed throughout the area for the aerial application flight. According to the pilot/operator report, each flight was taking approximately fifteen minutes and the aircraft was due back at 1500. When the aircraft did not return, a crew was dispatched to the job site. The aircraft was found inverted and burning. There was no physical evidence of the aircraft moving after impact. There were no witnesses to the accident; however, a witness saw the airplane maneuvering prior to the accident and saw smoke. Examination of the airplane and engine by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)inspector at the accident site did not disclose any maintenance anomalies. Flight control continuity was established. A review of the airframe and engine records by the FAA inspector, did not reveal any anomalies or uncorrected maintenance defects. The autopsy was performed by the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory, Little Rock, Arkansas. Toxicological findings were negative. The wreckage was released to the owner's representative at the accident site. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3652D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3652D-2018-01-18), registration cancelled 2018-01-18, S/N 400-0245 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR AT400 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-400](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-400) (registry code 0390202) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 400-0845 - Airframe hours: 6383 - Engines: P&W PT6A-15AT 680 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Casey Flying Service, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1994, 30 hours before - Departed: NONE, AR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 11,000 total, 5,600 in this make and model, 11,000 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 8 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MEM, 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 19940227002929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940227002929A), Feb 27, 1994: Airtrc AT400, Widener, AR, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost control on a turn around. Found inverted and burning. Indicates a possible accelerated stall. No anomalies. 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.