# NTSB FTW95LA028: Air Tractor AT-301, N8523S, Lubbock, TX, October 21, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 21, 1994, 09:45 local (14:45 UTC) - Place: Lubbock, TX - Coordinates: 33.589721, -101.849594 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5897&lon=-101.8496&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 9, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19291 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA028 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19291/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA028 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE WITH THE IRRIGATION EQUIPMENT. A FACTOR WAS PILOT FATIGUE. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application - object - other - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - fatigue(flight schedule), pilot in command (contributing factor) - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - aerial application - turbine assembly,turbine wheel - disintegrated - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - landing gear,main gear - sheared ## Analysis THE AGRICULTURAL AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH IRRIGATION EQUIPMENT WHILE APPLYING PESTICIDES TO A COTTON FIELD. AFTER THE COLLISION, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING. THE AIRPLANE WAS STRUCTURALLY DAMAGED DURING THE FORCED LANDING. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS TIRED AND HAD DIFFICULTY SEEING THE IRRIGATION EQUIPMENT WHICH 'BLENDED INTO THE WHITE COTTON THAT WAS 90% OPEN.' ## Factual narrative On October 21, 1994, at 0945 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301, N8523S, was substantially damaged while manuevering near Lubbock, Texas. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight. During an interview, the pilot reported that he was spraying cotton plant defoliant "close to the ground" in an effort to increase its effectiveness. During an application pass, the aircraft struck stationary irrigation spraying equipment with the left main landing wheel and the propeller. He stated that after the left main landing wheel made contact, the aircraft started to nose down and the propeller made contact with the wheels of the equipment. The engine then "exploded." The pilot maintained control of the aircraft and glided to a forced landing in a stripped corn field approximately 200 yards from the initial impact with the irrigation equipment. The pilot further stated that he was "tired after many days of spaying", and that the irrigation equipment was difficult to see because it "blended into the white cotton that was 90% open." Examination of the airplane at the site revealed evidence of propeller blade contact on the irrigation spraying equipment. The left main landing gear was sheared from its attachment point and the left wing was structurally damaged during the forced landing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8523S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8523S-2011-06-22), registration cancelled 2011-06-22, S/N 301-0135, built 1978 (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: AT-301 - Airframe hours: 5500 - Engines: GARRETT TPE 331-1 680 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Reynolds, Ed R. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, October 13, 1993, 430 hours before - Departed: Q24, LEVELLAND, TX - Destination: Q24, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 10,590 total, 2,454 in this make and model, 10,483 as pilot in command, 312 in the last 90 days, 210 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 7 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LBB, 8 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 19941021035719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941021035719A), Oct 21, 1994: Airtrc AT301, Lubbock, TX, Substantial damage. Collided with irrigation equipmnent during a spray run. Pilot blamed fatigue and equipment hidden by cotton. ## Other investigations on N8523S (3) 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. - [NTSB FTW85LA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA039), Nov 8, 1984: Air Tractor AT-301 (N8523S), Mission, TX, substantial damage - [NTSB FTW82DRG32](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DRG32), May 14, 1982: Air Tractor 301 (N8523S), Mcallen, TX, substantial damage - [NTSB FTW81FRG36](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FRG36), May 17, 1981: Air Tractor AT-301 (N8523S), Pharr, TX, substantial damage 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.