# NTSB FTW97LA245: Air Tractor AT-400A, N36538, Church Point, LA, June 11, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 11, 1997, 15:45 local (20:45 UTC) - Place: Church Point, LA - Coordinates: 30.399227, -92.209396 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3992&lon=-92.2094&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 24, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20263 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA245 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20263/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA245 ## Probable cause The pilot's improperly performed short field takeoff procedures. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - short field takeoff/procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was departing to the north using full power with 2,230 pounds of fertilizer on board. He further reported that: 'I started my takeoff roll with 10 degrees [of] flaps and increased [them] to 30 degrees further down the strip. As I got to the end of the strip I had to pull the plane off to clear a large levee, after which it settled back down to the ground.' The pilot stated that 'as the end of the runway came closer, I felt like I was over gross.' The FAA Inspectors reported that they were unable to determine the actual weight of the airplane at the time of its takeoff roll. The airplane had a different model engine on it then when it left the factory; no paperwork was located in the airplane for the modification nor the new weight limitations. An Air Tractor manufacturer's representative reported that a normal takeoff in an AT-400A is performed with the flaps in the up position. The representative further stated that 'takeoffs from short strips with heavy loads should be performed with the flaps set at 10 degrees.' The representative reported that 'no other takeoff configuration for the flaps is authorized in the airplane's operating procedures.' ## Factual narrative On June 11, 1997, approximately 1545 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-400, N36538, sustained substantial damage following impact with terrain during initial climb following takeoff from a private agricultural strip near Church Point, Louisiana. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Church Point Flyers Inc., Church Point, Louisiana, as a Title 14 CFR Part 137 flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial application flight which was originating at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported in his NTSB's Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (Form 6120.1/2) that he was departing to the north using full power with 2,230 pounds of fertilizer on board. The pilot further reported that: "I started my takeoff roll with 10 degrees [of] flaps and increased [them] to 30 degrees further down the strip. As I got to the end of the strip I had to pull the plane off to clear a large levee, after which it settled back down to the ground." The pilot stated that the airplane landed in a rice field with a "large ditch or canal in it." The airplane's left wing sustained damage to several ribs and the reinforced leading edge skin, and the left main landing gear connecting point to the fuselage was damaged. The pilot stated to the FAA Inspectors, who went to the accident scene, that "as the end of the runway came closer, I felt like I was over gross." The FAA Inspectors reported to the Investigator-In-Charge (IIC) that they were unable to determine the actual weight of the airplane at the time of its takeoff roll. The airplane had a different model engine on it then when it left the factory; no paperwork was located in the airplane for the modification nor the new weight limitations. The pilot further stated that "a small shower was approaching and the air was real calm at the time of [the] takeoff." The IIC interviewed another pilot who was working nearby who stated that "it was getting real hot; you could just see the moisture in the air." The second pilot stated to the IIC that "I was getting real concerned about the lift." The IIC determined that the density altitude was approximately 2,300 feet. An Air Tractor manufacturer's representative reported to the IIC that a normal takeoff in an At-400A is performed with the flaps in the up position. The representative further stated that "takeoffs from short strips with heavy loads should be performed with the flaps set at 10 degrees." The representative reported that "no other takeoff configuration for the flaps is authorized in the operating proceedures." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N36538](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N36538-2018-05-18), registration cancelled 2018-05-18, S/N 400-0280 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-400A - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-400](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-400) (registry code 0390202) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 400-0280 - Engines: P&W PT6A-28 680 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Church Point Flyers - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1997 - Departed: NONE, LA - Airport: NONE, Richards Airstrip, runway 36, 1,150 × ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 10,151 total, 2,701 in this make and model, 10,101 as pilot in command, 367 in the last 90 days, 272 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F ## Other investigations on N36538 (2) 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 CEN13LA486](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA486), Aug 9, 2013: Air Tractor AT-400 (N36538), Dumas, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing. - [NTSB FTW81FQG25](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FQG25), May 1, 1981: Air Tractor AT400 (N36538), Patricia, TX, substantial damage 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.