# NTSB LAX97LA045: Air Tractor AT-401, N1014N, Calexico, CA, November 9, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 9, 1996, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Calexico, CA
- Coordinates: 32.690551, -115.509605 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6906&lon=-115.5096&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29687
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29687/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA045

## Probable cause

the pilot's premature lift-off from the runway and his failure to attain adequate airspeed.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

The pilot reported that after liftoff, the aircraft settled back to the surface and the main landing gear contacted the far edge of an irrigation canal bank at the runway's departure end.  The temperature was 88 degrees Fahrenheit at the time the accident occurred and the density altitude was computed to be 1,894 feet msl.

## Factual narrative

On November 9, 1996, at 1430 hours Pacific standard time, an Air Tractor AT-401, N1014N, collided with the lip of an irrigation canal during the takeoff initial climb from a private agricultural airstrip near Calexico, California.  The aircraft was owned and operated by Frontier Agricultural Service, Inc., of Calexico, and was beginning a local area aerial application flight under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed.  The aircraft incurred substantial damage.  The certificated commercial pilot was not injured.  The flight was originating at the time of the occurrence.

The pilot reported that after liftoff, the aircraft settled back to the surface and the main landing gear contacted the far edge of an irrigation canal bank at the runway's departure end.

The temperature was 88 degrees Fahrenheit at the time the accident occurred and the density altitude was computed to be 1,894 feet msl.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1014N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1014N), registered now, S/N 401-0729, built 1989 (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: 401-0729
- Airframe hours: 4567
- Engines: Garrett TPE331-2-201A 715 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Frontier Agricultural Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 3, 1996, 90 hours before
- Airport: Private Crop Duster Strip, runway 27, 2,550 × 80 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 22,200 total, 300 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: KIP

## 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 19961109035299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961109035299A), Nov 9, 1996: Airtrc AT401, Calexico, CA, Substantial damage. Settled after takeoff. Main gear struck lip off irrigation canal.

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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