# NTSB MIA91LA033: Air Tractor AT401, N1005J, Belle Glade, FL, November 26, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 26, 1990, 09:25 local (14:25 UTC)
- Place: Belle Glade, FL
- Coordinates: 26.679693, -80.67028 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.6797&lon=-80.6703&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32796
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32796/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA033

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED, AND STALLED THE AIRPLANE, RESULTING IN A UNCONTROLLED DESCENT, AND COLLISION WITH THE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - ground (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT DEPARTED FROM A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP TO CONDUCT AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT. VFR CONDITIONS PREVAILED AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. THE PILOT STATED HE HAD COMPLETED A SPRAY RUN TO THE WEST. HE PULLED UP 15 DEGREES NOSE HIGH AND WAS 150 FEET AGL WHEN HE MADE A RIGHT BANK FOLLOWED BY A LEFT BANK OF 40 DEGREES. DURING THE LEFT TURN THE PILOT WAS LOWERING THE NOSE AND EXTENDING FLAPS WHEN THE AIRPLANE STALLED WHICH RESULTED IN A UNCONTROLLED DESCENT AND COLLISION WITH THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1005J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1005J-2003-11-12), registration cancelled 2003-11-12, S/N 4010691, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR AT401
- 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: 401-0691
- Airframe hours: 1461
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN-1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Glades Ag Service Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, November 2, 1990, 44 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 19; private; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 270 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI

## 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 19901126051919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901126051919A), Nov 26, 1990: Airtrc AT401, Belle Glade, FL, Destroyed. Stalled and crashed during a spray run turn around. Ag certification status unknown.

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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