# NTSB LAX08CA034: Air Tractor AT-401, N6024M, Soledad, CA, December 6, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 6, 2007, 10:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Soledad, CA - Coordinates: 36.374168, -121.414169 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3742&lon=-121.4142&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report January 31, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 67215 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA034 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67215/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA034 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate clearance from mountainous terrain while maneuvering during an aerial application mission. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's diverted attention inside the cockpit. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor) - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot was seeding an area located adjacent to mountainous terrain. Prior to making the first pass, he had flown a reconnaissance flight to inspect the area. After completion of the first pass as he was maneuvering in a turn back towards the field, he was checking the seeding pattern and making adjustments to the GPS system inside the cockpit. When he checked the gauges again, he realized that the airplane had lost airspeed and rolled out to a wings level configuration to regain the lost airspeed. The airplane was headed towards rising terrain. He jettisoned the remaining seed and made a controlled collision with terrain in a ravine. The airplane was destroyed in a post impact fire. He reported that he had preoccupied himself with less important flight duties at a critical time during the flight. The pilot reported no mechanical problems that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he departed from King City, California, airport about 1000 for a seeding flight mission west of the Soledad, California. After performing a reconnaissance flight over the area, he made his first application pass heading towards the west. During this time he was also visually checking the seeding pattern and making adjustments to the GPS application equipment located inside the airplane. After completion of the first pass, he initiated a turn and noted that his airspeed had slowed during the first pass. He was not able to complete the turn, and "rolled" back to wings level flight. He added full power and checked the engine gauges. The pilot stated that he believed he would be able to regain sufficient airspeed to complete his turn and continued straight ahead. He stated that his direction of flight was towards a canyon with "rapidly rising terrain." The pilot stated that as soon as he maneuvered back to wings level flight, he was rapidly approaching the rising terrain, and he was not going to be able to "climb or out maneuver" the terrain. He immediately released the emergency dump handle to jettison the remaining seed from the hopper. While jettisoning the seed, he also chose the best possible location for an emergency landing. The pilot's next memory was of fire and smoke; he was able to extricate himself from the wreckage. In the pilot's written submission to the Safety Board (NTSB Form 6120.1; Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report), in the section titled RECOMMENDATION (How could this accident/incident have been prevented), the pilot stated that he had preoccupied himself with other, "less important flight duties at a critical time when all focus should have been outside the cockpit verifying that my chosen flight path could be maintained." The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. According to a responding Battalion Chief from the California Department of Forestry, the airplane flew into a box canyon and was not able to turn around. The airplane struck several trees and impacted in a ravine near an old Jeep road, and was destroyed in the post impact fire. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6024M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6024M-2011-12-16), registration cancelled 2011-12-16, S/N 401-0949, built 1994 (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: 401-0949 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Soilserv Inc - Registered owner: US Bancorp Equipment Finance Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: KIC, KING CITY, CA - Destination: KIC ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; last flight review October 1, 2007; seat: center; flight hours: 11,000 total, 240 in this make and model, 10,740 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °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 20071206828499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071206828499A), Dec 6, 2007: Airtrc AT401, King City, CA, Destroyed. (-23) The pilot [privacy data omitted] stated he was starting his second pass of the aerial application flight, when he became distracted setting up his "GPS… ## Other investigations on N6024M (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 SEA99LA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99LA075), May 27, 1999: Air Tractor AT-401 (N6024M), Jerome, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: Fuel exhaustion. Carburetor contamination and rough terrain were factors. 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.