Air Tractor AT-301 N3661B

Summary

On 21 June 2011 at about 11:15 local time, a Air Tractor AT-301 registered N3661B was involved in an accident near Hogeland, Montana, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 June 2011 at 11:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Hogeland, Montana, United States

Nearest airport

Harlem Airport (48S)

Coordinates

48.8058, -108.5961

Aircraft

Air Tractor AT-301

Registration

N3661B

Category

Airplane

Year built

1981

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Harlem → Harlem

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR11LA272

1 person died.

Collision with the ground while maneuvering at low altitude for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot departed in the agricultural airplane shortly before sunrise to apply herbicide in a field about 18 miles from the departure airport. Witnesses located adjacent to the accident site next to the field to be sprayed heard the airplane approach, turn, and collide with the ground. The airplane was loaded with fuel and herbicide, such that it was about 9 percent (565 pounds) over its maximum gross weight. No anomalies were noted with the engine or airframe that would have precluded normal operation, and propeller damage signatures indicated the engine was producing power at the time of impact. The flaps were in the fully extended position, contrary to the airplane manufacturer's recommendations for this phase of flight. The airplane sustained high-energy impact damage consistent with a steep nose-down descent into the ground, possibly due to a stall-spin. The increased airplane load would have reduced the stall speed, and the use of full flaps would also have affected the airplane's handling characteristics during the turn; however, the investigation could not determine to what extent this played a role in the accident. The reason for the use of full flaps could not be determined. Family members reported that the pilot was both under financial, work, and personal stress. One of his daughters reported that during a telephone conversation the week before the accident, the pilot sounded tired and in a state of malaise; during the conversation the pilot sounded "dis-jointed and out of character," and he stated that he was "getting tired of flying." Toxicological testing revealed that the pilot was taking medication used for the symptomatic relief of depressive illness. While the dose in itself was not high enough to pose a hazard to flight, he did not declare either his use of it or the underlying condition on his most recent FAA medical certificate application 1 month before the accident. However, it could not be determined whether the underlying condition for which the pilot was being treated would have affected is flying ability.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.