# NTSB FTW95LA358: Air Tractor AT-401, N9190Q, Taft, TX, August 22, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 22, 1995, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Taft, TX
- Coordinates: 27.979007, -97.389533 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9790&lon=-97.3895&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 29, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19552
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA358
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19552/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA358

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DIVERTED ATTENTION, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS FAILURE TO ASSURE THAT CLEARANCE WAS MAINTAINED FROM THE TRANSMISSION LINE.

## 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 - wire,transmission
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AS THE PILOT COMPLETED HIS SECOND PASS, HE LOOKED BACK 'TO SEE WHERE THE SPRAY WAS GOING,' AND THE AIRPLANE'S RIGHT WING STRUCK THE TOP TWO STATIC WIRES ON AN ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION LINE. THE AIRPLANE THEN ENTERED A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE AND IMPACTED THE GROUND.

## Factual narrative

On August 22, 1995, at 1830 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-401, N9190Q, collided with wires while maneuvering near Taft, Texas.  The commercial pilot/operator was not injured and the airplane was destroyed.  The airplane departed Portland, Texas, at 1820 for the aerial application flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 137.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

According to the pilot, he was spraying an obstructed area and had completed one pass when he noticed the spray was not being deposited in the intended location.  He decided "to make a second pass upwind from the previous one."  As the pilot completed the second pass, he "momentarily" looked back "to see where the spray was going."  The airplane's right wing struck the top two static wires on an electrical transmission line.  The airplane entered a "60 to 70 degree nose down attitude" and impacted the ground "hard."  A post-impact fire consumed the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9190Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9190Q), registered now, S/N 401-0925, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR AT-401
- Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-401](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-401) (registry code 0390204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 401-0925
- Airframe hours: 798
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Jeffrey D. Hunt
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 21, 1994, 442 hours before
- Departed: 9R5, PORTLAND, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 5,383 total, 1,343 in this make and model, 5,234 as pilot in command, 380 in the last 90 days, 150 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 50° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 77 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19950822025429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950822025429A), Aug 22, 1995: Airtrc AT401, Taft, TX, Destroyed. Second spray run. Looked back check coverage. Right wing struck static wires. Crashed.

## Other investigations on N9190Q (1)

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 CEN20CA311](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA311), Jul 27, 2020: Air Tractor AT 401 (N9190Q), Burlington, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from guy-wires during low-altitude agricultural operations.

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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