# NTSB FTW95LA247: Air Tractor AT-301, N315PF, Guymon, OK, June 16, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 16, 1995, 08:35 local (13:35 UTC) - Place: Guymon, OK - Coordinates: 36.680118, -101.480636 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6801&lon=-101.4806&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 19, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19456 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA247 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19456/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA247 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED. THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS A FACTOR. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - encountered, pilot in command - In flight collision with object, cruise - object - fence - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis THE AERIAL APPLICATION PILOT DEPARTED HIS HOME BASE WITH A LOAD OF 305 GALLONS OF SOLUTION. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT 'IT WAS IMMEDIATELY APPARENT THAT MORE POWER WAS REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AND THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS PERFORMING POORLY.' WHILE LINING UP FOR THE FIRST SWATH RUN, 'THE AIRSPEED DROPPED TO 75 MPH AND A SINK RATE STARTED THAT I COULDN'T STOP EVEN WITH FULL POWER AND QUARTER FLAPS.' THE AIRPLANE'S LANDING GEAR STRUCK A FIVE STRAND BARBED WIRE FENCE AND THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE GROUND SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGING THE WING, LANDING GEAR, FUSELAGE, AND ENGINE MOUNT. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS ABOUT 5,100 FEET. ## Factual narrative On June 16, 1995, at 0835 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301, N315PF, was substantially damaged while maneuvering near Guymon, Oklahoma. The airline transport rated pilot was not injured. The aircraft was owned and operated by Earl Kokendoffer, under Title 14 CFR Part 137. The flight originated from Guymon Municipal Airport near Guymon, Oklahoma, at 0825. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial application flight and a flight plan was not filed. According to the Pilot/Operator Report, the pilot departed Guymon with 305 gallons of solution and "It was immediately apparent that more power was required to maintain altitude and that the airplane was performing poorly." A bank angle of more than 15 degrees resulted in a loss of altitude and airspeed. The pilot further stated that during the approach for the first swath, "the airspeed dropped to 75 mph and a sink rate started that I couldn't stop even with full power and quarter flaps." As the airplane was flown under some high-power lines, "I was unable to arrest the sink rate and when the landing gear contacted a five strand barbed wire [fence] my remaining air speed was lost; the airplane quit flying." Substantial damage occurred to right wing, landing gear, fuselage, and engine mount. Guymon Municipal Airport is at an elevation of 3,123 feet. At the time of the accident, the temperature was reported to be 79 degrees. The investigator-in-charge calculated the density altitude to be approximately 5,100 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N315PF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N315PF-1997-02-18), registration cancelled 1997-02-18, S/N 4000315 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR AT-301 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-400](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-400) (registry code 0390202) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4000315 - Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Earl Kokendoffer - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1995 - Departed: GUY, OK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 6,053 total, 60 in this make and model, 4,590 as pilot in command, 191 in the last 90 days, 53 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 8 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F ## 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 19950616017959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950616017959A), Jun 16, 1995: Airtrc AT301, Guymon, OK, Substantial damage. Overloaded settled. Flew under wires but landing gear caught on fence. Max load and high density altitude factors. 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.