# NTSB MIA95LA180: Air Tractor AT-401, N9186J, Clewiston, FL, July 10, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 10, 1995, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Clewiston, FL - Coordinates: 26.679956, -80.670028 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.6800&lon=-80.6700&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 4, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 37798 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA95LA180 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37798/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA180 ## 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 In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command (cause) - object - wall/barricade - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9186J), registered now, S/N 401-0912, built 1993 (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: 401-0912 - Airframe hours: 397 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19950710042119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950710042119A), Jul 10, 1995: Airtrc AT401, Clewiston, FL, Substantial damage. Lost control on takeoff from ag strip. Collided with barrels and sugar cane had quartering tailwind. ## Other investigations on N9186J (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 LAX02LA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA034), Nov 30, 2001: Air Tractor AT-401B (N9186J), Las Vegas, NV, no damage. Probable cause: the failure of the AT-401 pilot to maintain clearance with the AT-402 airplane during landing. Contributing factors were the unreliable communication radio in the AT-401, the AT-401 pilot's continued… 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.