# NTSB GAA16CA399: Air Tractor AT 301, N7311X, Bird Island, MN, July 27, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 27, 2016, 07:30 local (12:30 UTC) - Place: Bird Island, MN - Coordinates: 44.474723, -94.534446 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4747&lon=-94.5344&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 5, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93706 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA399 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93706/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93706 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA399 ## Probable cause The pilot's diverted attention inside the cockpit and failure to maintain the airplane's altitude while maneuvering at a low altitude, resulting in an impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 1,311 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: attention](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 227 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 810 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Navigation system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023400): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not specified; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023400/cases.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023400/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 10,154 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, during a low altitude agricultural aerial application flight he observed a glitch in the satellite navigation system. He reported that he attempted to identify the glitch and his attention was focused inside the cockpit. The pilot recalled that while focused inside the cockpit, he heard and felt the corn stalks that he was spraying, strike the airplane. He reported that he then looked outside the cockpit and "observed a slight rise in terrain", he increased throttle and pulled back on the stick. However, the airplane descended into the cornfield, yawed to the right, impacted the ground and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, fuselage, and the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with airplane that would have prevented normal flight operations. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, during a low altitude agricultural aerial application flight he observed a glitch in the satellite navigation system. He reported that he attempted to identify the glitch and his attention was focused inside the cockpit. The pilot recalled that while focused inside the cockpit, he heard and felt the corn stalks that he was spraying, strike the airplane. He reported that he then looked outside the cockpit and "observed a slight rise in terrain", he increased throttle and pulled back on the stick. However, the airplane descended into the cornfield, yawed to the right, impacted the ground and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, fuselage, and the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with airplane that would have prevented normal flight operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7311X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7311X-2018-05-31), registration cancelled 2018-05-31, S/N 301-0659, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT 301 (NO SERIES) - 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: 301-0659 - Year built: 1986 - Airframe hours: 6447 - Engines: P&W R1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Willmar Aerial Spraying INC - Registered owner: Willmar Aerial Spraying INC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 3, 2016 - Departed: OVL, Olivia, MN - Destination: OVL, Olivia, MN - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 5, 2016; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 444.5 total, 84.4 in this make and model, 398.3 as pilot in command, 87.4 in the last 90 days, 65 in the last 30 days, 17.1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: KOVL ## 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 20160727011639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160727011639A), Jul 27, 2016: Air Tractor Inc AT-301, Olivia, MN, Substantial damage. Flight was planned and flown as a agriculture operation. Pilot became distracted with a GPS satellite lock issue. Pilot stated aircraft started to impact the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 1, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93706. 1.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445965&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 444 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445966&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.