# NTSB MIA90LA083: Air Tractor AT-301, N23509, Rolling Fork, MS, March 6, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 6, 1990, 09:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Rolling Fork, MS
- Location: 32.9073° N, 90.8769° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Rolling Fork, MS, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9073&lon=-90.8769&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32634
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA90LA083
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32634/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90LA083

## Probable cause

THE IN-FLIGHT SEPARATION OF THE LEFT AILERON DUE TO IMPROPER MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES AND AN INADEQUATE AIRCRAFT PREFLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - flt control syst,aileron control cable/rod - failure,total (cause)
  - flt control syst,aileron control cable/rod - overload (cause)
  - flight control,aileron - separation (cause)
  - maintenance - improper, unknown (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE ON SHORT FINAL, THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE ACFT ABOUT THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS. THE BANK CONTINUED UNTIL THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND & CAME TO REST INVERTED. EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED THAT THE LEFT AILERON SEPARATED UPWARD IN-FLT. THE THREE BOLTS & SELF LOCKING NUTS USED TO SECURE IT WERE NOT LOCATED. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE AILERON ATTACH ARMS UNDER THE WING NOR WAS THERE DAMAGE TO THE AILERON'S ATTACH PIONTS. THE AILERON PUSH-PULL ROD WAS EXAMINED & WAS FOUND TO HAVE FAILED DUE TO OVER LOAD. AN ANNUAL INSPN WAS PERFORMED 5 DAYS EARLIER, BUT THE AILERON WAS NOT REMOVED. THE ACFT LOGBOOK DID NOT CONTAIN AN ENTRY INDICATING THAT THE AILERON WAS REMOVED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N23509](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23509-1994-11-28), registration cancelled 1994-11-28, S/N 3010391 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 301-0391
- Airframe hours: 4851
- Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Nicks Flying Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Nicks Flying Service Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1990
- Destination: 2

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 4,336 total, 2,113 in this make and model, 4,282 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days, 12 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GWO, 51 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 19900306005669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900306005669A), Mar 6, 1990: Airtrc AT301, Rolling Fork, MS, Substantial damage. Left aileron deflected upward while landing on a road. Wing hit and aircraft cartwheeled. Attach bolts came off.

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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