# NTSB MIA96LA226: Air Tractor 301, N8563S, St Clair, AL, September 5, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 5, 1996, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: St Clair, AL - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report May 30, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38084 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA226 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38084/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA226 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, while maneuvering, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and uncontrolled descent to ground. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis Witnesses observed the aircraft maneuvering and heard an engine power reduction. The aircraft then descended in a nose down attitude and crashed. There was evidence that the aircraft impacted in a relatively slow speed, but with power being provided to the propeller. Postcrash examination of the aircraft structure, flight controls, engine, and propeller did not reveal any pre-crash failure or malfunction. ## Factual narrative On September 5, 1996, about 1700 central daylight time, a Air Tractor AT-310, N8563S, registered to Davco Aviation, Inc., crashed near St. Clair, Alabama, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was destroyed and the commercial-rated pilot received serious injuries. The flight originated from St. Clair, the same day, about 1610. Witnesses report to Lowndes County Sheriff Department officers that they observed the aircraft flying and the engine suddenly cut off. The aircraft crashed and about 15 seconds later they heard an explosion. Examination of the crash site by FAA inspectors showed the aircraft crashed in a nose-down attitude while at a slow speed. The leading edge of each wing was crushed aft. The propeller had damage consistent with a propeller being turned by engine power at the time of ground impact. A postcrash fire erupted in the nose and center wing areas. Examination of the engine by FAA inspectors showed no evidence of precrash mechanical failure or malfunction of the engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8563S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8563S-1997-08-29), registration cancelled 1997-08-29, S/N 3010146 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor 301 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-301) (registry code 0390103) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 301-0146 - Airframe hours: 6301 - Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Farm Air, Inc. - Registered owner: Davco Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 2, 1996, 154 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 5,211 total, 4,391 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MGM, 25 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 19960905026189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960905026189A), Sep 5, 1996: Airtrc AT301, St Clair, AL, Destroyed. Stalled during spray operations. Impact nose first. Exploded and burned. ## Other investigations on N8563S (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 MIA91LA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA144), May 13, 1991: Air Tractor AT-301 (N8563S), Tutwiler, MS, substantial damage. Probable cause: FATIGUE FAILURE OF ONE OF THE PROPELLER BLADES RESULTING IN THE FORCED LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN. 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.