# NTSB FTW96LA374: Air Tractor AT-401, N1502F, Brownfield, TX, September 1, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 1, 1996, 11:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Brownfield, TX
- Coordinates: 33.169361, -102.270896 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1694&lon=-102.2709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19968
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA374
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19968/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA374

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing roll.  A factor was the crosswind.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

According to the operator, during the landing on a private ag-strip, a slight crosswind resulted in the airplane diverting into an adjacent cotton field.  The airplane bounced across soft crop rows for 60 feet to 70 feet until the left landing gear collapsed, at which point the left wing struck the ground and the motor/prop struck the ground subsequently flipping the aircraft completely over.

## Factual narrative

On September 1, 1996, at 1145 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-401, N1502F, was substantially damaged during landing near Brownfield, Texas.  The commercial pilot, the sole occupant of 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 a private Ag-strip approximately 45 minutes before the accident.  A flight plan was not filed.

The operator stated, in the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, that during the landing on a private ag-strip, a "slight crosswind" resulted in the airplane diverting into an adjacent cotton field.  "The plane was bouncing across soft crop rows for 60 feet to 70 feet until the left landing gear collapsed, at which point the left wing struck the ground and the motor/prop struck the ground subsequently flipping the aircraft completely over."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1502F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1502F-2019-09-09), registration cancelled 2019-09-09, S/N 401-0819, built 1991 (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: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 401-0819
- Airframe hours: 1711
- Engines: P&W R-1340 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, March 19, 1996, 299 hours before
- Airport: NONE, J&L Farms, runway 18, 4,000 × 25 ft, gravel

## 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, 1,600 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 200 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 72 °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 19960901025779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960901025779A), Sep 1, 1996: Airtrc AT401, Brownfield, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot lost control of aircraft on landing, flipped over. (-23) Mr. Burris indicated he was landing to the south on the dirt strip use by foshee spraying svc.…

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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