# NTSB GAA16CA462: Air Tractor AT, N31627, Hondo, TX, September 5, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 5, 2016, 11:20 local (16:20 UTC) - Place: Hondo, TX - Coordinates: 29.380832, -99.17472 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3808&lon=-99.1747&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 4, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93947 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA462 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93947/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93947 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA462 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from an antenna atop a tower while maneuvering at a low altitude and the airplane’s subsequent impact with terrain during an attempted off-airport landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-400, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=0390202), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tower/antenna (incl guy wires)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-400, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022017/cases.md?model=0390202), [All aircraft, 55 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022017/cases.md) - [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-400, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=0390202), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/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: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-400, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0390202), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-400, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=0390202), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-400, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=0390202), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while maneuvering at low altitude over a field during an agricultural application flight, the airplane struck an antenna atop a tower adjacent to the field, and the antenna wrapped around the right wing and landing gear. The pilot added that he attempted an off-airport landing, but the airplane impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. In an e-mail, the tower owner's lawyer reported that the tower was used for internet and two-way communications. He added that the tower was under 200 ft above ground level and "with the antenna attached, the tower was in the mid to upper 100 [foot] range." The lawyer reported that the tower was marked and lit appropriately and was not registered due its height. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that while maneuvering at low altitude over a field during an aerial application flight, the airplane struck an antenna atop a tower adjacent to the field, and the antenna wrapped around the right wing and landing gear. The pilot further reported that he attempted an off-airport landing, but the airplane impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. In an email with the tower owner's lawyer, he reported that the tower was used for internet and two way communications. He further reported that the tower was under 200 feet above ground level and "with the antenna attached, the tower was in the mid to upper 100 [foot] range." The lawyer reported that the tower was marked and lit appropriately and was not registered, due to the tower height. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N31627](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N31627-2019-11-04), registration cancelled 2019-11-04, S/N 400-0506, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT (400) - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-400](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-400) (registry code 0390202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-2000 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-2000-series) (registry code 52023, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 400-0506 - Year built: 1983 - Airframe hours: 19575 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PP6-27 680 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Rustys Flying Service - Registered owner: Rustys Flying Service - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 12, 2016 - Departed: 4TS8, D'HANIS, TX - Destination: 4TS8, D'HANIS, TX - Equipment: Stall warning system, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; injuries: none; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 3, 2016; seat: single; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,727 total, 727 in this make and model, 2,714.5 as pilot in command, 460 in the last 90 days, 174 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,700 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: KHDO, 1 nm away ## 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 20160905014959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160905014959A), Sep 5, 2016: Air Tractor Inc AT-400, Hondo, TX, Destroyed. On September 5, 2016, at approximately 11:20 hours, an Air tractor AT-400, N31627 ^owned by rustys flying service^ and operated by lindeman inc, crashed in a… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 17, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93947. 2.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445413&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 349 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445414&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Tower Information (item 3, .PDF, 43 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40449751&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Tower%20Information-Master.PDF - Factual Revision (item 4, .PDF, 16 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40449752&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Factual%20Revision-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.