# NTSB SEA00LA073: Air Tractor AT-401, N1524H, Acequia, ID, April 14, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 14, 2000, 09:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Acequia, ID - Coordinates: 42.699222, -113.620536 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6992&lon=-113.6205&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 9, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 48995 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA00LA073 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48995/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA00LA073 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to obtain/maintain adequate clearance with the irrigation system during initial climb. A contributing factor was the irrigation pivot. ## 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 - object - other (contributing factor) - altitude/clearance - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot was taking off when the AT-401 agricultural airplane clipped a 12 foot high irrigation pivot. The aircraft then impacted terrain, sustaining right wing and empennage damage, and spilling chemicals and aviation fuel. The pilot advised both the FAA and NTSB that there was no mechanical malfunction with the aircraft. ## Factual narrative On April 14, 2000, approximately 0930 hours mountain daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-401, N1524H, registered to and being flown by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged during collision with an irrigation system and terrain near Acequia, Idaho. The pilot was uninjured. No flight plan had been filed and visual meteorological conditions existed. The flight, which was an aerial application, was operated under 14CFR137, and originated from an airstrip at the accident site. According to a deputy from the Minidoka County Sheriff's Office, the pilot was taking off when the aircraft clipped a 12 foot high irrigation pivot. The aircraft then impacted terrain, sustaining right wing and empennage damage, and spilling chemicals and aviation fuel. The accident occurred approximately five miles east and three miles north of Rupert, Idaho (refer to CHART I). According to an inspector assigned to the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) at Boise, the FAA was not immediately notified of the accident by the pilot/operator. An FAA FSDO inspector traveled to the accident site, but found that the aircraft had been removed and its whereabouts were not established. The pilot reported to the Boise FAA FSDO inspector that there was no mechanical malfunction with the aircraft at the time of the accident (refer to ATTACHMENT FAA-I). The pilot confirmed this when asked by the Safety Board investigator-in-charge during a later telephonic conversation. The pilot's local (Idaho) telephone number was called on several occasions. Each time, an answering machine message was received that identified the pilot by name as well as the operator, Mallard Flying Service. NTSB Form 6120.1/2 was mailed to the pilot's local (Idaho) address on April 19, 2000, and returned by postal authorities as undeliverable. The pilot was then contacted telephonically on May 3, 2000, and NTSB Form 6120.1/2 was transmitted to him via facsimile. As of May 25, 2000, the pilot had not responded by returning the completed report. The FAA inspector and a representative of the Idaho State Department of Agriculture both reported that the pilot had left the country and was now in Venezuela. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1524H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1524H-2020-05-01), registration cancelled 2020-05-01, S/N 401-0844, built 1991 (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: [Walter M601 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/walter-m601-series) (registry code 64002, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 401-0844 - Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Mallard, Alma D., doing business as Mallard Flying Service - Registered owner: Kindblade, Stanley, J. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 4,735 total, 600 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 9 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BYI, 12 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 20000414005269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000414005269A), Apr 14, 2000: Airtrc AT401, Rupert, ID, No damage. (-23) Pilot attempted takeoff with too heavy of a load for the conditions of the day and collided with a large farm irrigation system that was located near the… ## Other investigations on N1524H (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 CHI98LA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA108), Mar 23, 1998: Air Tractor AT-401 (N1524H), Steele, MO, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot failed to maintain an adequate visual lookout. A factor was the pile of gravel in the taxiway. 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.