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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

February 27, 1994 · Air Tractor AT400 · N3652D

Widener, AR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 27, 1994
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Widener, AR
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT400
Tail Number
N3652D
Operator
Casey Flying Service
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW94LA086

THE AERIAL APPLICATION PILOT LOST CONTROL FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS WHILE MANEUVERING. EACH FLIGHT WAS TAKING APPROXIMATELY FIFTEEN MINUTES. WHEN THE AIRPLANE DID NOT RETURN AT ITS EXPECTED TIME OF RETURN, A CREW WAS DISPATCHED TO THE JOB SITE WHERE THE AIRCRAFT WAS FOUND INVERTED AND BURNING. THERE WERE NO WITNESSES TO THE ACCIDENT; HOWEVER, A PERSON SAW THE AIRPLANE MANEUVERING PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, AND SAW SMOKE AFTER THE AIRPLANE HAD IMPACTED THE TERRAIN. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE AND MAINTENANCE RECORDS DID NOT DISCLOSE ANY MAINTENANCE ANOMALIES. FLIGHT CONTROL CONTINUITY WAS ESTABLISHED. THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST IN THE INITIAL IMPACT CRATER.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S LOSS OF CONTROL FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

Full Narrative

On February 27, 1994, at approximately 1510 central standard time, an Air Tractor AT400, N3652D, was destroyed following a loss of control while maneuvering near Widener, Arkansas. The commercial pilot sustained fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed throughout the area for the aerial application flight. According to the pilot/operator report, each flight was taking approximately fifteen minutes and the aircraft was due back at 1500. When the aircraft did not return, a crew was dispatched to the job site. The aircraft was found inverted and burning. There was no physical evidence of the aircraft moving after impact. There were no witnesses to the accident; however, a witness saw the airplane maneuvering prior to the accident and saw smoke. Examination of the airplane and engine by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)inspector at the accident site did not disclose any maintenance anomalies. Flight control continuity was established. A review of the airframe and engine records by the FAA inspector, did not reveal any anomalies or uncorrected maintenance defects. The autopsy was performed by the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory, Little Rock, Arkansas. Toxicological findings were negative. The wreckage was released to the owner's representative at the accident site.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:10 CST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAir Tractor AT400
Tail NumberN3652D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorCasey Flying Service
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6A-15AT · Turboprop · 680
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 43 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 8 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 18 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data