# NTSB WPR21LA310: Air Tractor AT-802A, N9197F, Fort Sumner, NM, July 30, 2021

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: July 30, 2021, 11:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Fort Sumner, NM
- Coordinates: 34.651836, -104.35552 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6518&lon=-104.3555&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 103668
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA310
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103668/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103668
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA310

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a windmill while maneuvering during an aerial application flight.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-802A, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=0390308), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/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-802A, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=0390308), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: residence/building](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-802A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022/cases.md?model=0390308), [All aircraft, 58 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-802A, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=0390308), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, while maneuvering over a field for the aerial application flight, the airplane’s wing struck a windmill that he did not see. The airplane subsequently collided with terrain and a postimpact fire ensued, which destroyed the airplane. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9197F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9197F-2022-08-12), registration cancelled 2022-08-12, S/N 802A-0009, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT-802A
- Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-802A](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-802a) (registry code 0390308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 802A-0009
- Year built: 1994
- Engines: Pratt and Whitney PT6A-67AG turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Aero Tech Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal
- Departed: FSU, Ft Sumner, NM
- Equipment: Handheld GPS, ADS-B, Satellite tracking device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 21, 2021; seat: single; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 3,041 total, 400 in this make and model, 2,986 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 13 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.22 inHg
- Observed at: KCVS, 54 nm away
- METAR: KCVS 301958Z AUTO 16013G16KT 10SM SCT070 SCT200 31/14 A3022 RMK AO2 SLP170 T03060142 $

## 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 20210730008679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210730008679A), Jul 30, 2021: Air Tractor Inc AT-802A, Fort Sumner, NM, Destroyed. On July 30, 2021, at 1130 CDT, an Air tractor 802A aircraft bearing registration number N9197F, registered to [privacy data omitted] Air operator, hit the…

## Other investigations on N9197F (2)

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 CEN10LA217](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA217), Apr 21, 2010: Air Tractor AT-802A (N9197F), Alpine, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB FTW97LA331](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA331), Aug 27, 1997: Air Tractor AT-802A (N9197F), Pineland, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: failure of the right main wheel brake, during the landing roll. A factor relating to the accident was: the pilot's failure (or inability) to maintain directional control of the airplane, after loss…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 12, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103668. 15.4 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 6 pages, 14.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12852376&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Accident pictures (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12852386&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR21LA301%20Accident%20Pictures-Rel.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.

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