On August 23, 1990, an Air Tractor AT401 (registration N10192) operated by AG Air Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Altheimer, AR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Loss of directional control during landing due to contact with tall weeds on the runway edge, which led to the aircraft sliding across a ditch and coming to rest off the runway. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 3 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
An aircraft lost directional control after its left wing struck tall weeds on the runway edge, causing it to slide across a ditch and come to rest off the runway.
What happened
During the final phase of the landing maneuver, the airplane's left wing made contact with tall vegetation growing along the edge of the runway. This impact caused an immediate loss of directional control. The aircraft subsequently struck the ground in a misaligned attitude and slid across a ditch before coming to a stop off the left side of the runway, facing opposite to the direction of landing.
The investigation
The examination focused on the sequence of events leading to the loss of control. Investigators noted that the initial contact with the weeds was the primary trigger for the subsequent ground loop and slide. No mechanical failures were cited as contributing factors in the narrative provided.
Probable cause
Loss of directional control during landing due to contact with tall weeds on the runway edge, which led to the aircraft sliding across a ditch and coming to rest off the runway.