- Date
- July 10, 1995, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place
- Clewiston, FL
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N9186JAir Tractor AT-401
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report December 4, 1995
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19950710042119A
- Case key
- 37798
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
Improper weather evaluation by the pilot in command while attempting to takeoff with a quartering tailwind associated with a nearby thunderstorm and failure of the pilot to maintain directional control.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot temporarily terminated spray operations due to adverse weather then elected to takeoff with a break in the weather under no wind condition. During takeoff the airplane collided with marker barrels and sugar cane plants. The pilot stated that post accident evaluation of the wind revealed that he attempted to takeoff with a quartering tailwind.
Factual narrative
On July 10, 1995, about 1630 eastern daylight time, an Air Tractor, AT-401, N9186J, registered to Ayers Crop Dusting, Inc., crashed during takeoff from a private airstrip near Clewiston, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed, for the 14 CFR part 91 aerial application flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the commercial-rated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.
The pilot stated that before the accident he suspended operations due to thunderstorms in the area. With a break in the weather and calm wind conditions he elected to takeoff. During the takeoff ground roll he lost control of the airplane which then collided with marker barrels and sugar cane plants. The pilot further stated that post accident evaluation of the winds indicated that he attempted to takeoff with a quartering tailwind.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N9186J
- Reported as
- Air Tractor AT-401
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 401-0912
- Airframe hours
- 397
- Engine
- P&W R-1340-AN 1, 600 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application · Part 137
- Registered owner
- Ayers Crop Dusting Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection
- 100 hour · July 5, 1995 · 3 hours before
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 52
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Center
- Flight hours
- 8,120 total · 1,350 in this make and model · 7,880 as pilot in command · 65 in the last 90 days · 45 in the last 30 days · 3 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 360° at 8 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 12,000 ft overcast
- Temperature
- 75 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- PBI, 22 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.
Other investigations on N9186J · 1
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.