# NTSB LAX98LA128: Air Tractor AT301, N7301P, Imperial, CA, March 24, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 23, 1998, 17:00 local (Mar 24, 1998, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Imperial, CA - Coordinates: 32.860019, -115.6501 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8600&lon=-115.6501&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 30060 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA128 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30060/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA128 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of the wrong runway, which resulted in a downwind takeoff attempt, and, his failure to obtain/maintain a proper airspeed during the takeoff sequence. The aircraft's gross weight and the prevailing density altitude were factors in the accident. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - weather condition - tailwind - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - proper climb rate - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed(v1) - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - berm ## Analysis The operator reported that the pilot attempted an unsuccessful takeoff from a 5,280-foot dirt strip. The operator reported that after the takeoff attempt, the aircraft struck an embankment just beyond the end of the runway and came to rest in a cotton field. Reported temperature at the time of the accident was 91 degrees Fahrenheit, and the density altitude was computed at 2,300 feet. The pilot stated that the aircraft had approximately 280 to 300 gallons of pesticide onboard and full fuel. He reported that the aircraft seemed sluggish and would not lift off the runway. The pilot stated that he made an unsuccessful attempt to jettison the load prior to the collision with the berm. The pilot reported that he attempted the takeoff from runway 26. The Imperial airport, 5 miles north-northeast, was reporting winds from 120 degrees at 11 knots at the time. A witness to the accident reported that as the aircraft went by him it was very loud and sounded as if it was operating at full power. The FAA inspected the aircraft on-scene and established flight control and engine continuity. No further discrepancies were noted. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical difficulties with the aircraft. ## Factual narrative On March 23, 1998, at 1700 hours Pacific standard time, an Air Tractor AT301, N7301P, collided with a berm after takeoff from a private dirt strip 5 miles north-northeast of the Imperial, California, airport. The aircraft, operated by Visco Flying Company under 14 CFR 137 as an agricultural crop dusting operation, sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the flight and no flight plan was filed. Reported temperature at the time of the accident was 91 degrees Fahrenheit, and the density altitude was computed at 2,300 feet. In an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector from the San Diego, California, Flight Standards District Office, the pilot stated that the aircraft had approximately 280 to 300 gallons of pesticide onboard and full fuel. He reported that the aircraft seemed "sluggish" and would not lift off the runway. The pilot stated that he made an unsuccessful attempt to jettison the load, and that there were no mechanical difficulties noted with the aircraft. The operator reported that the pilot attempted an unsuccessful takeoff from a 5,280-foot dirt strip. The operator reported that after the takeoff attempt, the aircraft struck an embankment just beyond the end of the runway and came to rest in a cotton field. The pilot reported that he attempted the takeoff from runway 26. The Imperial airport, 5 miles north-northeast, was reporting winds from 120 degrees at 11 knots at the time. A witness to the accident reported that as the aircraft went by him it was very loud and sounded as if it was operating at full power. The FAA inspected the aircraft on-scene and established flight control and engine continuity. No further discrepancies were noted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7301P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7301P-2000-05-18), registration cancelled 2000-05-18, S/N 301-0588 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT301 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-301) (registry code 0390103) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 301-0588 - Airframe hours: 8000 - Engines: P&W R1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Visco Flying Co. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 27, 1997, 5 hours before - Airport: Private Dirt Strip, runway 26, 5,280 × 80 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 15,000 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 11 knots - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: IPL, 5 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 19980323011539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980323011539A), Mar 23, 1998: Airtrc AT301, Imperial, CA, Substantial damage. Struck a dirt berm after liftoff. Crash landed.(.4) on March 23, 1998, at 1700 hours pacific standard time, an air tractor AT301, N7301P, collided with a berm… 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.