# NTSB FTW96LA371: Air Tractor AT-301, N3166H, Meadow, TX, September 3, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 3, 1996, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Meadow, TX - Coordinates: 33.330966, -102.19976 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3310&lon=-102.1998&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19966 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA371 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19966/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA371 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the transmission wire. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing. ## 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) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - crop ## Analysis According to the pilot, he arrived at the field and made a complete circuit of the job to locate all wires. The pilot stated that there were large east-west power lines on the north edge of the field and small east-west wires along the south end of the flat field. The pilot flew the first application swath south bound by flying under large wires, across the field, and over small wires on the south end of the field. He then turned the airplane around for the second swath and reversed the application pattern. On the north end of the field, the airplane's vertical stabilizer hit the large wires, destroying the fin and removing the rudder. The pilot reported that the airplane would only fly in a circle, so he dumped the plane's load and performed a forced landing to a cotton field. ## Factual narrative On September 3, 1996, at 1500 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301, N3166H, was substantially damaged during an impact with transmission wires while maneuvering and the subsequent forced landing near Meadow, Texas. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant in the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Foshee Flying Service under Title 14 CFR Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial application flight which originated from Terry County Airport, Brownfield, Texas, approximately 15 minutes before the accident. A flight plan was not filed. The pilot stated in the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report that he "arrived at the field and made a complete circuit of the job to locate all wires." He further stated that there were "large east west power lines" on the north edge of the field and "small east west wires" along the south end of the "very flat field." The pilot reported that he flew the first application swath southbound by flying under the "large wires," across the field, and over the "small wires" on the south end of the field. He then turned the airplane around for the second swath and reversed the application pattern. On the north end of the field, the airplane's vertical stabilizer "hit the large wires, destroying the fin" and "removing the rudder." The pilot reported that the airplane would only fly in a circle, so he dumped the plane's load and performed a forced landing to a cotton field. The landing gear separated from the airplane and two spars in the right wing were damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3166H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3166H-2022-04-02), registration cancelled 2022-04-02, S/N 301-0549, built 1984 (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: 301-0549 - Airframe hours: 4188 - Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Foshee Spraying Service, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 27, 1996, 163 hours before - Departed: Q26, BROWNFIELD, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 6,272 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 6,272 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 64 °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 19960903025799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960903025799A), Sep 3, 1996: Airtrc AT301, Brownfield, TX, Substantial damage. Struck power lines during aerial application and crashed. (-23) the pilot indicated he had made one pass in the field and this was his second pass. He had… ## Other investigations on N3166H (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 DEN08LA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08LA105), Jun 19, 2008: Air Tractor AT-301A (N3166H), Garwood, TX, destroyed. Probable cause: A loss of engine power due to the total failure of the number 2 cylinder. 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.