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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

July 15, 2005 · Air Tractor AT-301 · N3159N

Langdon, ND

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 15, 2005
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Langdon, ND
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT-301
Tail Number
N3159N
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI05LA188

The agricultural airplane impacted terrain while maneuvering at a low altitude during an aerial application flight. The airplane was spraying a field of canola with fungicide just prior to the accident. The land owner reported that after a spray-run the airplane continued about a half mile beyond the end of the field before pitching-up. An agricultural pilot, who was operating near the accident site, saw the airplane "take a straight line up and arch across the top violently and then it appeared to go straight down." The pilot stated that the airplane did not climb higher than 200 feet above ground level before abruptly pitching to the right and entering the nose low attitude. The wreckage was located in a level, open field. The aircraft engine was impacted into the field to a depth of approximately four feet. Flight control continuity was established between all flight control surfaces and the cockpit. No anomalies were found that could be determined to have existed prior to impact.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain while attempting an abrupt turning maneuver at a low altitude.

Full Narrative

On July 14, 2005, at 2130 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301, N3159N, piloted by a commercial pilot, was destroyed during impact with terrain near Langdon, North Dakota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The aerial application flight was operating under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 137 without a flight plan. The pilot was fatally injured. The flight departed Robertson Field Airport (D55), Langdon, North Dakota, at an unconfirmed time. The airplane was spraying a field of canola with fungicide just prior to the accident, according to the land owner. The land owner reported that after a spray-run the airplane continued about a half mile beyond the end of the field before pitching-up. The witness did not see the airplane impact the ground due to a ridgeline which obstructed his view of the accident site. An agricultural pilot, who was operating near the accident site, saw the airplane "take a straight line up and arch across the top violently and then it appeared to go straight down." The pilot stated that the airplane did not climb higher than 200 feet above ground level before abruptly pitching to the right and entering the nose low attitude. The pilot did not see the airplane impact the ground due to a ridgeline which obstructed his view of the airplane. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors performed the on-site examination of the wreckage. The wreckage was located in a level, open field. The aircraft engine was impacted into the field to a depth of approximately four feet. The FAA inspectors reported that flight control continuity was established between all flight control surfaces and the cockpit. No anomalies were found that could be determined to have existed prior to impact.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAir Tractor AT-301
Tail NumberN3159N
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney · R1340-AN1 · Reciprocating · 550
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 25 · Second Class · Fatal

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 61 F
Altimeter30.02 inHg
Observation Time02:35
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data