Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

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.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

July 3, 1994 · Air Tractor AT-301 · N3659D

Autaugaville, AL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 3, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Autaugaville, AL
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT-301
Tail Number
N3659D
Operator
Farm Air
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL94LA130

THE AG PILOT WAS TAKING OFF FROM THE GRASS AIRSTRIP WITH A FULL CHEMICAL LOAD. WHEN THE AIRCRAFT DID NOT ACCELERATE AS EXPECTED, HE LOWERED FLAPS, AND DUMPED THE HOPPER LOAD. THE AIRCRAFT MOMENTARILY BECAME AIRBORNE, THEN SETTLED, COLLIDING WITH SOME PINE TREES. THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WITH THE AIRCRAFT. HE DID REPORT THAT THE GRASS ON THE RUNWAY WAS EXCESSIVELY LONG.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING, IN THAT HE DID NOT PROPERLY EVALUATE THE CONDITION OF THE RUNWAY PRIOR TO TAKEOFF, AND HIS FAILURE TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF WHEN ADEQUATE ACCELERATION WAS NOT OBSERVED. FACTORS WERE THE HIGH VEGETATION (GRASS) ON THE RUNWAY, AND THE TREES AT THE PERIMETER OF THE AIRSTRIP.

Full Narrative

On July 3, 1994, at 0600 central daylight time, an Airtractor AT-301, N3659D, collided with trees during takeoff from a private, sod airstrip near Autaugaville, Alabama. The aerial application flight operated under 14 CFR Part 137 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the pilot was not injured. The accident occurred during the initial takeoff of the day. According to the pilot, with a full load of chemicals, and tall grass on the takeoff surface, the airplane would not accelerate sufficiently to accomplish a safe takeoff. He lowered additional flaps, to no effect. As the runway end approached, he dumped the chemical load, and the aircraft lifted off. As he closed the dump gate, the aircraft settled again, and collided with some small pine trees, located 250 feet beyond the runway end. His safety recommendation after the accident was to cut the grass, because it was too high at the end of the strip. He reported no aircraft mechanical failure or malfunction, after the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:00 CDT
Nearest AirportMulberry Strip (1nm N)
Runway36
Runway Length2500 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAir Tractor AT-301
Tail NumberN3659D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorFarm Air
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-1340-AN1 · Reciprocating · 600
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 42 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDawn
WindCalm
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data