# NTSB WPR11CA286: Air Tractor AT301, N2362D, Circle, MT, June 24, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 24, 2011, 08:05 local (14:05 UTC) - Place: Circle, MT - Coordinates: 47.422222, -105.566947 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4222&lon=-105.5669&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 4, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION - NTSB case key (mKey): 80884 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11CA286 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/80884/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80884 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA286 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to attain and maintain an adequate airspeed during initial climb. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he loaded the hopper of the airplane with chemicals for an agricultural flight and proceeded to take off. During the initial climb, at approximately 50 feet above ground level (agl), the pilot noticed a tailwind from the southwest and at 60 feet agl noticed that his climb rate had diminished. He performed a forced landing in the wash across a main road, and on touchdown the main landing gear separated and the airplane proceeded inside a gully where the wings sustained substantial damage. At the time of the accident, the density altitude was approximately 3,600 feet. The pilot reported no mechanical issues or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation and he felt that he was unable to attain an adequate flying speed due to the high humidity. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he loaded the hopper of the airplane with chemicals for an agricultural flight and proceeded to depart on runway 30. During the climb out, at approximately 50 feet above ground level (agl), the pilot noticed a tailwind from the southwest and at 60 feet agl noticed that his climb rate had diminished. The pilot attempted to initiate a forced landing in the wash across a main road. On touchdown the main landing gear broke off and the airplane proceeded inside a gully where the wings sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no mechanical issues or malfunctions that would have precluded normal flight. At the time of the accident, the density altitude was approximately 3,600 ft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2362D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2362D-2018-01-16), registration cancelled 2018-01-16, S/N 301-0404, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR AT301 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-301) (registry code 0390103) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 301-0404 - Airframe hours: 7379 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Harris Spraying Inc. - Registered owner: Harris Spraying Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 13, 2010, 145 hours before - Departed: 4U6, Circle Airport, MT - Destination: 4U6, Circle Airport, MT - Airport: 4U6, Circle Town Airport, runway 30, 4,100 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 6, 2010; seat: single; flight hours: 6,716 total, 2,917 in this make and model, 6,716 as pilot in command, 145 in the last 90 days, 120 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.77 inHg - Observed at: KOLF, 41 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 20110624011459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110624011459A), Jun 24, 2011: Air Tractor Inc AT-301, Circle, MT, Substantial damage. Aircraft took off from Circle mt airport and made a right turn on a 285 heading. The aircraft was approximately 1 mile from airport when the pilot tried to… ## Other investigations on N2362D (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 ATL95LA169](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA169), Sep 16, 1995: Air Tractor AT-301 (N2362D), Plains, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: Failure of the number four cylinder rocker arm housing and pin, which resulted in a closed exhaust valve and loss of engine power. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 8, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80884. 430 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 346 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350685&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 84 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350684&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF 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.