# NTSB MKC89LA190: Air Tractor AT-401, N10103, Wabbaseka, AR, August 26, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 25, 1989, 19:15 local (Aug 26, 1989, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Wabbaseka, AR
- Coordinates: 34.360569, -91.789718 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3606&lon=-91.7897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34858
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA190
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34858/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA190

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE TALL VEGETATION (GRASS). THE TALL VEGETATION & HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE WERE CONSIDERED TO BE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - load jettison - not attained
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKING OFF ON AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLT, HE BEGAN A SHALLOW RIGHT TURN & THE ACFT SETTLED. THE RIGHT WING AND SPRAY BOOM CONTACTED TALL GRASS. THE ACFT THEN VEERED INTO A RICE FIELD WHERE IT STRUCK A LEVEE & DAMAGED THE LANDING GEAR. THE PLT BELIEVED THE HIGH TEMP (87 DEG) & RELATIVELY HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE (2000') MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE OCCURRENCE. ALSO, HE RPRTD THAT HE DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO DUMP THE CHEMICAL LOAD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N10103](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N10103-2016-09-07), registration cancelled 2016-09-07, S/N 401-0709, built 1989 (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: 401-0709
- Airframe hours: 435
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Jerry'S Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 20, 1989, 10 hours before
- Airport: Jerry'S Pvt, runway 18, 2,700 × 90 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,600 total, 364 in this make and model, 200 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19890825032139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890825032139A), Aug 25, 1989: Airtrc AT400, Wabbaseka, AR, Substantial damage. Aircraft settled after liftoff. Collapsed gear hitting a levee. Pilot blames full load and high air temperature.

## Other investigations on N10103 (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 ATL98LA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA117), Aug 22, 1998: Air Tractor 401 (N10103), Holly Bluff, MS, substantial damage. Probable cause: The malfunction of the carburetor which resulted in improper fuel flow to the engine.

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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