# NTSB WPR14CA002: Air Tractor AT 401, N1013R, Waco, TX, October 1, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 1, 2013, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Waco, TX - Coordinates: 31.549722, -97.129165 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5497&lon=-97.1292&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 19, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 88171 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA002 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88171/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88171 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA002 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff in gusting wind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-401, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0390204), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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-401, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0390204), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-401, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=0390204), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-401, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0390204), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during takeoff from a grass strip, he lost control of the airplane when it encountered a gust of wind causing the airplane to roll to the right. The right wing contacted the high vegetation along the airstrip and the airplane subsequently nosed over. Both wings and the rudder were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failure with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during takeoff from a grass strip, he lost control of the airplane when it encountered a gust of wind causing the airplane to roll to the right. The right wing contacted the high vegetation along the airstrip and the airplane subsequently nosed over. Both wings and the rudder were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failure with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1013R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1013R-2017-10-20), registration cancelled 2017-10-20, S/N 401-0723, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT 401 (UNDESIGNAT) - 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: 401-0723 - Year built: 1989 - Airframe hours: 6575 - Engines: P&W 1340 AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Corpora Aerial Service Inc - Registered owner: Corpora Aerial Service Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 10, 2013, 68 hours before - Departed: Waco, TX - Destination: Waco, TX - Airport: None, Private, runway None, 2,000 × 20 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 20, 2012; seat: center; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 8,400 total, 8,000 in this make and model, 8,300 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 15 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °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 20131001025709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20131001025709A), Oct 1, 2013: Air Tractor Inc AT-401, Waco, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot encountered turbulence/windshear on take off. Wing contacted ground and aircraft nosed over. Pilot departed aircraft uninjured. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 31, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88171. 748 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 672 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402549&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1. Forward view of wreckage. Photo courtesy of local law enforcement. (item 2, .PDF, 76 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402551&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Forward%20view%20of%20wreckage.%20%20Photo%20courtesy%20of%20local%20law%20enforcement.-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.