Air Tractor AT-401 N4549N

Summary

On 8 April 2003 at about 23:20 local time, a Air Tractor AT-401 registered N4549N was involved in an accident near Fellsmere, Florida, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

8 April 2003 at 23:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Fellsmere, Florida, United States

Coordinates

27.7272, -80.6314

Aircraft

Air Tractor AT-401

Registration

N4549N

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Vero Beach → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

MIA03LA094

1 person was seriously injured.

The poor in-flight planning by the pilot-in-command for his overhsooting the pull-up following a spray pass resulting in the in-flight collision with trees then terrain. Contributing to the accident was sunglare that the pilot encountered during the spray pass.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that he doesn't remember the accident, but he did report that during a spray run, he overshot the end of the field due to sun in his eyes. He also reported there was no mechanical failure or malfunction. According to the president of the Indian River Flying Service, Inc., the pilot was just starting to pull-up after completing a spray pass when the airplane collided with a tree then the ground. According to an officer with the Indian River County Sheriff Department, the airplane collided with a tree located in an open area, then impacted the ground. A debris path was scattered over a 300 to 350 yard area. The wreckage comprised of two large pieces, and a chemical odor was noted at the accident site.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.