# NTSB MIA03LA094: Air Tractor AT- 401, N4549N, Fellsmere, FL, April 8, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 8, 2003, 19:20 local (23:20 UTC) - Place: Fellsmere, FL - Coordinates: 27.727222, -80.631385 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.7272&lon=-80.6314&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report April 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 56803 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA03LA094 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56803/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03LA094 ## Probable cause The poor in-flight planning by the pilot-in-command for his overhsooting the pull-up following a spray pass resulting in the in-flight collision with trees then terrain. Contributing to the accident was sunglare that the pilot encountered during the spray pass. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause) - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he doesn't remember the accident, but he did report that during a spray run, he overshot the end of the field due to sun in his eyes. He also reported there was no mechanical failure or malfunction. According to the president of the Indian River Flying Service, Inc., the pilot was just starting to pull-up after completing a spray pass when the airplane collided with a tree then the ground. According to an officer with the Indian River County Sheriff Department, the airplane collided with a tree located in an open area, then impacted the ground. A debris path was scattered over a 300 to 350 yard area. The wreckage comprised of two large pieces, and a chemical odor was noted at the accident site. ## Factual narrative On April 8, 2003, about 1920 eastern daylight time, an Air Tractor 401, N4549N, registered to and operated by Indian River Flying Service, Inc., collided with a tree then the ground during an aerial application flight near Fellsmere, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 137 flight. The airplane was destroyed and the commercial-rated pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The flight originated about 15 minutes earlier from New Hibiscus Airpark, Vero Beach, Florida. The pilot stated that he doesn't remember the accident, but he did report that during a spray run, he overshot the end of the field due to sun in his eyes. He also reported there was no mechanical failure or malfunction. According to the president of the Indian River Flying Service, Inc., the pilot was just starting to pull-up after completing a spray pass when the airplane collided with a tree then the ground. According to an officer with the Indian River County Sheriff Department, the airplane collided with a tree located in an open area, then impacted the ground. A debris path was scattered over a 300 to 350 yard area. The wreckage comprised of two large pieces, and a chemical odor was noted at the accident site. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4549N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4549N-2005-05-06), registration cancelled 2005-05-06, S/N 401-0799, built 1991 (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: 401-0799 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Indian River Flying Service, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2002, 90 hours before - Departed: X52, Vero Beach, FL - Destination: X52 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: serious; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 8, 2002; seat: center; flight hours: 18,000 total, 4,100 in this make and model, 18,000 as pilot in command, 275 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 140° at 14 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: KVRB ## 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 20030408018159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030408018159A), Apr 8, 2003: Airtrc AT401, Fellsmore, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot states in interview that he does not remember anything about the accident. The last thing he remembers is loading the aircraft, then waking up… ## Other investigations on N4549N (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 FTW94LA306](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA306), Sep 20, 1994: Air Tractor AT-401 (N4549N), Mcgehee, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN. 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.