# NTSB FTW95LA336: Air Tractor AT-301, N4398S, Cannon Afb, NM, August 11, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 11, 1995, 06:45 local (12:45 UTC)
- Place: Cannon Afb, NM
- Coordinates: 34.38095, -103.30931 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3809&lon=-103.3093&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 19, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19532
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA336
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19532/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA336

## Probable cause

THE INADVERTENT STALL. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S PREMATURE RETRACTION OF THE FLAPS.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - raising of flaps - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE EXECUTING A TURN AROUND MANEUVER DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT, THE PILOT RETRACTED THE FLAPS. THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED AND IMPACTED THE GROUND.

## Factual narrative

On August 11, 1995, at 0645 mountain daylight time (all times in this report will remain in mountain daylight time), an Air Tractor AT-301, N4398S, collided with terrain while maneuvering near Cannon AFB, New Mexico.  The commercial pilot was not injured; however, the airplane was destroyed.  The airplane, was operated by Tate Spraying Service under Title 14 CFR Part 137.  The flight originated from Clovis, New Mexico, at 0630.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial application flight and a flight plan was not filed.

On the enclosed Pilot/Operator Report, the pilot stated that he was making a "spray turn when after making my downwind turn I was turning back upwind, I retracted my flaps to [too] early and it caused the plane to stall."  Subsequently, the airplane impacted "flat into the ground."  The pilot reported winds from 180 degrees at 4 knots.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, examined the site and reported that the leading edges of both wings were crushed inward to the wing spars.  The fuselage and empennage came to rest upright and the engine was separated from the airframe.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4398S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4398S-1998-04-04), registration cancelled 1998-04-04, S/N 3010058 (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: 301-0058
- Airframe hours: 4850
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Tobin D. Tate
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 22, 1995, 40 hours before
- Departed: CVS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 900 total, 40 in this make and model, 846 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 150 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19950811033049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950811033049A), Aug 11, 1995: Airtrc AT301, Cannon Afb, NM, Destroyed. During procedure turn pilot retracted flaps. Stalled. Impacted ground.

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.

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