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NTSB Report
July 2, 1990 · Air Tractor AT-301 · N3653W
Mission, TX
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 2, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Mission, TX
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT-301
Tail Number
N3653W
Operator
Putz Aero
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW90DRG04
AFTER SPRAYING THE FIELD THE PILOT WAS 'CLEANING UP THE END' AND WAS FLYING ON THE LEE SIDE OF TREES WHEN HE FELT THE LEFT WING DROP. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, EITHER THE LANDING GEAR OR THE LEFT WING CAUGHT IN THE 3 1/2 FOOT TALL GRAIN, AND HE WAS UNABLE TO RAISE THE WING. THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST ABOUT 165 YARDS AFTER INITAIL TERRAIN IMPACT. THE PILOT FELT THAT HE ENCOUNTERED MECHANICAL TURBULENCE, CAUSING THE INITIAL LOSS OF CONTROL.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER CLEARANCE ABOVE THE CROPS HE WAS SPRAYING. A FACTOR WAS THE TREE INDUCED MECHANICAL TURBULENCE ENCOUNTERED DURING THE DESCENDING TURN.
Full Narrative
AFTER SPRAYING THE FIELD THE PILOT WAS 'CLEANING UP THE END' AND WAS FLYING ON THE LEE SIDE OF TREES WHEN HE FELT THE LEFT WING DROP. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, EITHER THE LANDING GEAR OR THE LEFT WING CAUGHT IN THE 3 1/2 FOOT TALL GRAIN, AND HE WAS UNABLE TO RAISE THE WING. THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST ABOUT 165 YARDS AFTER INITAIL TERRAIN IMPACT. THE PILOT FELT THAT HE ENCOUNTERED MECHANICAL TURBULENCE, CAUSING THE INITIAL LOSS OF CONTROL.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftAir Tractor AT-301
Tail NumberN3653W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPutz Aero
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 47 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind140° @ 8 kt, gusting 15 kt
CeilingBroken clouds 2700 ft
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO