1993-02-05: Air Tractor AT-400 — Hudson Air Service, Inc.

1993-02-05: Air Tractor AT-400 — Hudson Air Service, Inc. — South Mills, NC

Casualties unknown • South Mills, NC, US

Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM TREES DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION MANEUVER. FACTORS WERE THE TREES ADJACENT TO THE WHEAT FIELD, AND THE SOFT TERRAIN.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE PILOT WAS SPRAYING HERBICIDES ON A WHEAT FIELD. AT THE END OF A SPRAY PASS, THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE TOPS OF SOME PINE TREES. THE PILOT LANDED THE AIRCRAFT IN AN OPEN FIELD, AND IT NOSED OVER IN SOFT MUD. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT, THAT THE ACCIDENT WAS HIS OWN MISTAKE. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE AIRCRAFT HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED IN OVER 4 YEARS, THE PILOT HAD NOT COMPLETED A BIENNIAL FLIGHT REVIEW IN OVER 6 YEARS, AND THE PILOT HAD NOT RECEIVED AN FAA MEDICAL CERTIFICATE IN OVER 3 YEARS.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1993-02-05 Air Tractor AT-400 accident near South Mills, NC?

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1993-02-05 involved a Air Tractor AT-400, registration N36521, operated by Hudson Air Service, Inc., at South Mills, NC.

What was the probable cause of the accident?