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Fatal NTSB investigations: Air Tractor AT-301

25 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Air Tractor AT-301. Aircraft are matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model, so older matches can be wrong.

Defining event

Finding

Phase of flight

Aircraft model

Cases per year

19762026

Where

Latest cases

Query with SQL

SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1 WHERE c."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal' AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('0390103', '0390105')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC

duckdb -csv -c "SELECT c.\"ntsbNumber\", c.\"eventDate\", c.\"eventType\", c.\"eventCity\", c.\"eventStateOrRegion\", a.n_number, a.\"aircraftMake\", a.\"aircraftModel\", c.\"highestInjuryLevel\", c.\"totalFatal\", c.\"completionStatus\", c.report_url
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c.\"mKey\" AND a.position = 1
  WHERE c.\"highestInjuryLevel\" = 'Fatal'
    AND c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('0390103', '0390105'))
  ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal'
  AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('0390103', '0390105'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC

Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.

NTSB WPR11LA272Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-301 · Hogeland, MTCollision with the ground while maneuvering at low altitude for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.Jun 21, 2011 · N3661B · Substantial damage NTSB ERA09LA385Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-301 · Brinson, GAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in the make and model airplane.Jul 7, 2009 · N8587S · Substantial damage NTSB CHI07LA208Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-301 · Osceola, INThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the trees during the aerial application flight. Factors associated with the accident were the trees and the pilot's lack of experience in flying aerial application flights.Jul 15, 2007 · N3158W · Substantial damage NTSB CHI05LA188Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-301 · Langdon, NDThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain while attempting an abrupt turning maneuver at a low altitude.Jul 15, 2005 · N3159N · Destroyed NTSB LAX02LA203Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-301 · Westmorland, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the power lines while maneuvering during an aerial application flight. A factor was the dark night condition.Jun 20, 2002 · N8719S · Destroyed NTSB FTW02LA020Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-301 · Morton, TXThe pilot's loss of control of the airplane during an aerial application maneuver.Oct 22, 2001 · N4395S · Destroyed NTSB MIA01LA166Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-301 · Finley, TNThe failure of the pilot to maintain aircraft altitude control while on downwind leg of the landing pattern, resulting in an uncontrolled descent and in-flight collision with the terrain.Jun 19, 2001 · N23672 · Destroyed NTSB FTW01LA011Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-301 · Littlefield, TXthe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with a guy wire while maneuvering during an aerial application flight.Oct 18, 2000 · N3165G · Destroyed NTSB FTW00LA168Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-301 · Garwood, TXthe loss of engine power in cruise flight as a result of the failure of the right magneto. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.Jun 2, 2000 · N8886S · Substantial damage NTSB FTW97FA229Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-301 · Las Animas, COin-flight collision with terrain, while maneuvering, for undetermined reason(s).Jun 19, 1997 · N7308E · Destroyed NTSB CHI95LA106Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-301 · Meade, KSthe pilot's not obtaining/maintaining clearance with the utility pole. A factor was the utility pole.Mar 21, 1995 · N5237S · Destroyed NTSB FTW94FA258Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-301 · Hunter, ARInadvertent stall due to pilot's failure to maintain airspeed. A factor was the pilot's over confidence in his personal ability.Aug 1, 1994 · N23358 · Substantial damage NTSB SEA94LA200Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-301 · Connell, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while conducting aerial application activities.Jul 29, 1994 · N3649Y · Destroyed NTSB DEN92LA062Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-301 · Rocky Ford, COThe pilots failure to maintain altitude due to spatial disorientation. Factors were: low overcast skies and ground fog.Jun 20, 1992 · N3649D · Destroyed NTSB CHI89DEP10Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportAir Tractor AT-301 · Plainfield, WIFailure of the pilot-in-command to maintain control of the aircraft while conducting aerial application maneuvers in close proximity to the terrain.Aug 1, 1989 · N5044S · Destroyed NTSB ATL89DKG04Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportAir Tractor AT-301 · Americus, GAThe pilot's failure to properly survey the area in which he would be conducting aerial application flights and his failure to see and avoid powerlines while performing aerial application.Jun 29, 1989 · N8773S · Destroyed NTSB FTW87DPJ08Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportAir Tractor 301A · Hollis, OKDuring an aerial application cleanup run, the aircraft's wing collided with a pole and sheared off the outboard five feet. The aircraft then collided with the ground out of control. Exam of the engine and airframe did not disclose any pre-existing failures or…Sep 13, 1987 · N3651D · Destroyed NTSB CHI87DER10Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportAir Tractor AT-301 · Hollandale, MNAfter making a swath run the aircraft pulled up to clear power lines. Witnesses state that the engine cut out and aircraft pitched nose down and began to rotate. They state that the engine regained power just prior to impact. Subsequent investigation failed…Jul 18, 1987 · N3652N · Substantial damage NTSB LAX82FUJ42Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportAir Tractor 301 · Yuma, AZThe pilot had completed his last load of the day and was en route back to the airport. According to witnesses, the aircraft entered a nose high attitude, then the nose dropped and the plane entered a spin. It struck the ground before recovering from the spin.…Jul 16, 1982 · N8538S · Destroyed NTSB FTW82DRJ13Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportAir Tractor 301 · Clarksville, TXThe pilot stated that he briefed the two flagmen about moving to next row as soon as the aircraft was lined up on the swath run. Both flagmen moved properly until on the fatal pass one flagman did not move and the aircraft struck him. The flagman struck by…Jul 1, 1982 · N4437S · No damage NTSB LAX80FUM26Accident · 1 fatalClosedAir Tractor AT-301 · Brawley, CAAug 26, 1980 · N8544S · Destroyed NTSB FTW79FRG41Accident · 1 fatalClosedAir Tractor AT-301 · Elsa, TXJun 13, 1979 · N4412S · Destroyed NTSB FTW79FRA25Accident · 1 fatalClosedAir Tractor AT-301 · East Liverpool, TXMay 26, 1979 · N4335S · Destroyed NTSB SEA78FYA21Accident · 1 fatalClosedAir Tractor AT-300 · Idaho Falls, IDAug 11, 1978 · N4331S · Substantial damage NTSB FTW77FRG05Accident · 1 fatalClosedAir Tractor AT-301 · La Feria, TXOct 22, 1976 · N4343S · Destroyed