# NTSB MIA08CA078: Air Tractor AT-301, N7302C, Columbus, MS, March 14, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 14, 2008, 18:45 local (23:45 UTC) - Place: Columbus, MS - Coordinates: 33.45, -88.583335 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4500&lon=-88.5833&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Jackson FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 67670 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08CA078 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67670/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08CA078 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed while maneuvering. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The responding FAA inspector stated that the accident flight was a test flight of a newly installed GPS system. The pilot told the inspector, that the airplane was in a steep bank to the right, maneuvering for another pass, when he encountered a slight buffet. He applied flaps and the buffet went away. As he continued in his steep bank turn to the right, he encountered another buffet that was more pronounced. He added additional flaps and the buffet went away. He encountered a gust of wind that started rolling him further to the right. He applied full left aileron and full left rudder pedal. He knew he was going to crash and was trying to slow the airplane down before the impact. The left wing impacted the ground first followed by the engine, separating. The airplane cart wheeled before coming to a stop upright. The FAA inspector stated that mechanical discrepancies were not reported nor discovered. The airplane owner felt the pilot turned tighter than normal, he observed the maneuver before the accident. The wind at the Golden Triangle Airport (GTR), Columbus, Mississippi, at the time of the accident were from 270 degrees at 4 knots. ## Factual narrative The responding FAA inspector stated that the accident flight was a test flight of a newly installed GPS system. The pilot stated to the inspector, while in a steep bank to the right, maneuvering for another pass, he encountered a slight buffet. He applied flaps and the buffet went away. As he continued in his steep bank turn to the right, he encountered another buffet that was more pronounced. He added additional flaps and the buffet went away. He encountered a gust of wind that started rolling him further to the right. He applied full left aileron and full left rudder pedal. He knew he was going to crash and was trying to slow the airplane down before the impact. The left wing impacted the ground first followed by the engine, separating. The airplane cart wheeled before coming to a stop upright. The FAA inspector stated that mechanical discrepancies were not reported nor discovered. The airplane owner felt the pilot turned tighter than normal, he observed the maneuver before the accident. The wind at the Golden Triangle Airport (GTR), Columbus, Mississippi, at the time of the accident were from 270 degrees at 4 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7302C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7302C-2008-06-20), registration cancelled 2008-06-20, S/N 301-0592, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-301 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-301) (registry code 0390103) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: AT-301-0592 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN1 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Operator: Lowry Incorporated, doing business as Lowry Flying Service - Registered owner: Frost Flying Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: KGTR, Columbus, MS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; flight hours: 651 total, 25 in this make and model, 42 in the last 90 days, 42 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.67 inHg - Observed at: KGTR, 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 20080314012619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080314012619A), Mar 14, 2008: Airtrc AT301, Columbus, MS, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot claims that while in a steep bank to the right, while maneuvering for another pass, he encountered a slight buffet. He added some flap and the… 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.