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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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February 5, 1993 · Air Tractor AT-400 · N36521

South Mills, NC

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 5, 1993
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
South Mills, NC
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT-400
Tail Number
N36521
Operator
Hudson Air Service
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL93LA056

THE PILOT WAS SPRAYING HERBICIDES ON A WHEAT FIELD. AT THE END OF A SPRAY PASS, THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE TOPS OF SOME PINE TREES. THE PILOT LANDED THE AIRCRAFT IN AN OPEN FIELD, AND IT NOSED OVER IN SOFT MUD. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT, THAT THE ACCIDENT WAS HIS OWN MISTAKE. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE AIRCRAFT HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED IN OVER 4 YEARS, THE PILOT HAD NOT COMPLETED A BIENNIAL FLIGHT REVIEW IN OVER 6 YEARS, AND THE PILOT HAD NOT RECEIVED AN FAA MEDICAL CERTIFICATE IN OVER 3 YEARS.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM TREES DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION MANEUVER. FACTORS WERE THE TREES ADJACENT TO THE WHEAT FIELD, AND THE SOFT TERRAIN.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT WAS SPRAYING HERBICIDES ON A WHEAT FIELD. AT THE END OF A SPRAY PASS, THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE TOPS OF SOME PINE TREES. THE PILOT LANDED THE AIRCRAFT IN AN OPEN FIELD, AND IT NOSED OVER IN SOFT MUD. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT, THAT THE ACCIDENT WAS HIS OWN MISTAKE. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE AIRCRAFT HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED IN OVER 4 YEARS, THE PILOT HAD NOT COMPLETED A BIENNIAL FLIGHT REVIEW IN OVER 6 YEARS, AND THE PILOT HAD NOT RECEIVED AN FAA MEDICAL CERTIFICATE IN OVER 3 YEARS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:45 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAir Tractor AT-400
Tail NumberN36521
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHudson Air Service
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6A-15AG · Turboprop · 680
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 55 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 6 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingOvercast 30000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 18 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:51
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data