# NTSB FTW95FA399: Air Tractor AT-502A, N91969, Coleman, TX, September 21, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: September 21, 1995, 10:10 local (15:10 UTC) - Place: Coleman, TX - Coordinates: 31.830665, -99.41957 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8307&lon=-99.4196&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report October 22, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19251 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95FA399 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19251/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95FA399 ## Probable cause the pilot's continued flight into adverse weather resulting in spatial disorientation and loss of control. A factor was the pilot's improper weather evaluation and the weather. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - weather condition - fog (contributing factor) - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor) - flight into adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aircraft control - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause) - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The airplane was one of two airplanes on a cross-country flight. According to the pilot of the other airplane, both airplanes were flying about 300 feet AGL when he observed the accident airplane enter a fog bank. A witness 1/2 mile from the accident site heard the sound of an airplane and observed the airplane fly directly overhead. He reported that 'the plane was not clearly visible due to dense clouds and/or fog and very overcast conditions.' About 10-15 minutes later, the witness observed a column of dark smoke, discovered the accident site, and observed the airplane burning on the ground. The turbine engine was found buried 18 inches in the initial ground scar at a near vertical angle. All five propeller blades were embedded in the ground and exhibited bending opposite the direction of rotation. The pilot obtained a computer weather brief prior to departure from an airport 38 miles southeast of the accident site. Examination of the airplane and maintenance records did not reveal any anomalies that could have contributed to the accident. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On September 21, 1995, approximately 1010 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502A, N91969, registered to, and operated by McIntyre Flying Service Inc. as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 positioning flight, was destroyed upon impacting terrain near Coleman, Texas. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The agricultural airplane was destroyed by a postimpact fire and the commercial pilot-in- command received fatal injuries. The flight originated from Brownwood Municipal Airport, Brownwood, Texas approximately 25 minutes prior to the accident, and was en route to Lamesa, Texas. According to the operator, the accident airplane was one of two airplanes being repositioned to Lamesa for an aerial application contract. The pilot of the second airplane (N1558U), stated that, both airplanes were flying approximately 300 feet above ground level (AGL) when he observed the accident airplane enter a "fog bank." He further stated that, he flew his aircraft "under the fog bank" to maintain visibility and "assumed" that the accident airplane "went high" to avoid the weather. After the encounter with the fog, and losing contact with the accident airplane, he decided to land at a private ranch airstrip due to the deteriorating weather conditions. A witness, who was working approximately 1/2 mile from the accident site, reported that, he "heard the sound of an airplane" and observed an airplane fly directly overhead. He reported that, "the plane was not clearly visible due to dense clouds and/or fog and very overcast conditions." He further reported that, nothing about the airplane "appeared unusual" other than the "poor weather conditions" in which it was flying. Approximately 10-15 minutes later, he observed a "column of dark smoke." He proceeded toward the smoke and discovered the accident site. Upon arrival at the site, he observed the airplane "in flames." PERSONNEL INFORMATION According to FAA records, the pilot did not hold an instrument rating. Additionally, a family member reported on the pilot/operator report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that, the pilot had 1 hour of simulated instrument time. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION A review of the maintenance records did not reveal any pre- existing anomalies, discrepancies, or defects that would have contributed to the accident. The airplane was not equipped, nor was it required to be equipped, with an attitude indicator. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION The witness, who observed the airplane flying approximately 1/2 mile from the accident site, reported that, he "estimated the ceiling to be approximately 200 feet above ground level." He further reported that, "he estimated that the plane was flying approximately 300 feet above ground level [and] sight of the plane was partially obscured by the clouds and/or fog." Additionally, he reported the following weather observations; "solid overcast" conditions, "heavy clouds and some fog", and "a moderate mist at ground level." According to a witness and the pilot of N1558U, the pilot received a computer weather brief prior to departure from Brownwood. Although Brownwood did not have a local weather observation facility, the following weather observations from Abilene, Texas, located about 38 miles northwest of the accident site, are provided: 0955 SA M8 VBKN 15OVC 7 172/69/65/1611/09 1052 SA M8 VBKN 15OVC 15 172/69/65/0906/10 Abilene is located between Brownwood, and Lamesa, Texas (the airplane's intended destination). WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION On site examination of the wreckage revealed that the fuselage, both wings and hopper were consumed by a postimpact fire. The airplane came to rest in the initial ground scar on a measured heading of 240 degrees magnetic. The turbine engine was buried approximately 18 inches into the ground at a near vertical angle, and the case was fractured and separated just aft of the accessory section. Three of the propeller blades were found separated from their mounts and the other two remained attached. All five propeller blades were embedded in the ground, and all exhibited bending opposite the direction of rotation. Additionally, a tree adjacent to the initial ground scar exhibited cut branches. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION An autopsy on the pilot was performed by Charles B. Odom, M.D., of the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences, Dallas, Texas. Toxicological tests were negative. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The wreckage was released to the owner's representative. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N91969](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N91969-2001-10-29), registration cancelled 2001-10-29, S/N 502A-0239, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR AT-502A - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-502A](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-502a) (registry code 0390306) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52032, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: AT502A-0239 - Airframe hours: 452 - Engines: P&W PT-6A-45R 1120 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Registered owner: Don Mcintyre - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: BWD, BROWNWOOD, TX - Destination: 2F5, LAMESA, TX - Flight plan: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,656 total, 1,534 as pilot in command, 399 in the last 90 days, 227 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 10 knots - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ABI, 38 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 19950921029699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950921029699A), Sep 21, 1995: Airtrc AT502A, Coleman, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Two ag planes on positioning flight. Entered a fog bank. One landed, other lost control. Not IFR rated. 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.