# NTSB MIA96LA232: Air Tractor 402, N9130M, Slocomb, AL, September 24, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 24, 1996, 16:42 local (21:42 UTC) - Place: Slocomb, AL - Coordinates: 31.110063, -85.589134 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1101&lon=-85.5891&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report March 31, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38088 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA232 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38088/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA232 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed. ## 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 - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis During a turn to reverse direction during an aerial application flight, the pilot lost control of the airplane which rolled inverted and impacted the ground. A witness heard the engine during the spray run and stated it sounded normal. Examination of the airplane and engine by the FAA and representatives of each manufacturer revealed no evidence of airframe or engine preimpact failure or malfunction. The flaps were determined to be retracted. ## Factual narrative On September 24, 1996, about 1642 central daylight time, an Air Tractor, Inc., AT-402, N9130M, registered to Southeastern Aircraft, crashed during an aerial application flight near Slocomb, Alabama. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. The commercial-rated pilot was fatally injured. The flight originated about 1620 from Madrid, Alabama. According to a witness who owns the property being treated, he observed the airplane during a spray pass flying eastbound about 30 feet above ground level. He then observed the airplane initiate a turn to the left to reverse direction and described the angle of bank to be slightly greater than he has seen before during spray operations. He then lost sight of the airplane and heard the impact. He further stated that he heard the engine the entire time and it sounded normal. According to an FAA inspector who examined the accident site, the airplane impacted the ground inverted while on a heading of about 325 degrees magnetic. The initial impact ground scar was about 2 1/2 feet deep and the wreckage path was about 300 feet long. The FAA inspector also stated that sufficient fuel to sustain engine operation was on board the airplane at the time of the accident. Examination of the airplane by a representative of the airframe manufacturer revealed no evidence of flight control preimpact failure or malfunction. The flaps were determined to be fully retracted and the propeller was separated aft of the propeller crankshaft flange. Visual examination of the three-bladed propeller revealed torsional twisting. Examination of recovered cockpit instruments revealed the fuel pressure indicator was in the green range, the altimeter indicated 1,260 feet, and the elevator trim was slightly aft of the takeoff range toward the nose-up position. The engine was recovered for further examination by the FAA and representatives of the manufacturer. A copy of the representatives report is an attachment to this report. A postmortem examination of the pilot was performed by Alfredo A. Paredes, M.D., State Medical Examiner. The cause of death was listed as multiple blunt force injuries. Toxicological analysis of specimens of the pilot was performed by the FAA Accident and Research Laboratory, and the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences. The results of the FAA analysis was negative for all tested drugs, volatiles, cyanide, and carbon monoxide. The results of the Alabama analysis was negative for all tests. According to FAA records, the pilot was involved in a previous accident during spray operations in which the airplane entered a high speed stall during a swath turnaround. The airplane then cartwheeled after a wing contacted the ground. The airplane minus the retained engine was released to Mr. Harry Brooks of Carson-Brooks, Inc., on November 21, 1996. The retained engine was released to Mr. Thayer M. Marts, an attorney for Gardner, on June 6, 1997. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9130M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9130M-2002-05-16), registration cancelled 2002-05-16, S/N 402-0893, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor 402 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-402](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-402) (registry code 0390205) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 402-0893 - Engines: P&W PT6A-28 715 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Gardner Flying Service - Registered owner: Southeastern Aircraft - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 9, 1996 - Departed: MADRID, AL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 7,284 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 7,284 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: DHN, 17 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 19960924029659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960924029659A), Sep 24, 1996: Airtrc AT402, Slocomb, AL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Made steep procedure turn stalled and impacted inverted. Entered high speed stall. Had prior same but walked away. 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.