# NTSB WPR14CA003: Air Tractor AT 402B, N402TR, Wellton, AZ, October 2, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 1, 2013, 21:30 local (Oct 2, 2013, 04:30 UTC) - Place: Wellton, AZ - Coordinates: 32.720001, -114.287498 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7200&lon=-114.2875&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - 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 FDSO - Safety recommendations: Yes - NTSB case key (mKey): 88172 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA003 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88172/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88172 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA003 ## Probable cause The pilot’s distracted attention and failure to maintain sufficient altitude to clear terrain while maneuvering in dark night conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: attention](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md?model=0390208), [All aircraft, 226 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402B, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=0390208), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=0390208), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=0390208), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was reading a map in an effort to identify the correct field to spray while maneuvering at low altitude in dark night conditions. While maneuvering in a turn the pilot did not realize the airplane was descending and subsequently collided with terrain. The wings and fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was reading a map in an effort to identify the correct field to spray while maneuvering at low altitude in dark night conditions. While maneuvering in a turn the pilot did not realize the airplane was descending and subsequently collided with terrain. The wings and fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N402TR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N402TR-2014-02-18), registration cancelled 2014-02-18, S/N 402B-1216, built 2009 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT 402B (B) - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-402B](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-402b) (registry code 0390208) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34AG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-34ag) (registry code 52251, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 402B-1216 - Year built: 2009 - Airframe hours: 3094 - Engines: P&W PT 6-34 AG 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Tri Rotor Spray And Chemical Inc - Registered owner: Tri Rotor Spray And Chemical Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 16, 2013, 68 hours before - Departed: Somerton, AZ - Destination: Wellton, AZ - Equipment: Stall warning system ## 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; seat: center; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 4,500 total, 3,000 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 90° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 31, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88172. 705 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 705 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402664&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.