Air Tractor AT-401 N1558N

Summary

On 30 August 1996 at about 00:30 local time, a Air Tractor AT-401 registered N1558N was involved in an accident near Plains, Texas, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

30 August 1996 at 00:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Plains, Texas, United States

Coordinates

33.1905, -102.8196

Aircraft

Air Tractor AT-401

Registration

N1558N

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Brownfield → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW96LA370

1 person had minor injuries.

failure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane, while maneuvering after a swath run, which subsequently resulted in a collision with the terrain. A factor relating to the accident was: the adverse wind condition (gusty wind and possible windshear).

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot had completed a swath run, and was maneuvering for another swath run, when he experienced problems in controlling the airplane in a right turn. He reported 'the high wing (left wing) very violently came over the top like a snap roll.' This had occurred on the previous two right turns. On the third turn, he made an extended turn with 'plenty' of airspeed, and prevented the wing from going all the way over by applying full left forward stick and left rudder. The airplane descended rapidly. The pilot reported that the airplane 'stalled' just before impact; however, he stated it did 'not stall during the [right] turn.' The pilot also reported that the wind was out of the northeast at 5 knots gusting to 10 knots, and that he possibly encountered wind shear. Examination of the airplane and engine did not disclose any mechanical anomaly. Control continuity was established to all flight controls.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.