On 3 Aug 2011, an AIR TRACTOR INC AT-301 operated by Pioneer AgViation, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Minot, ND. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the crosswind landing, resulting in a ground loop. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A pilot returning from an aerial application training flight experienced a ground loop during landing rollout after applying brakes in response to landing gear shake. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.
Accident Details
The pilot reported that he was returning from an aerial application training flight when the accident occurred. During the landing rollout, the airplane initially tracked the runway centerline. The pilot noted that the landing gear seemed to shake, and he pulled back on the control stick and applied both brakes in response. At that point, the airplane veered to the left and subsequently ground looped. The airplane departed the runway pavement, and the left main landing gear partially collapsed, allowing the left wing to contact the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that there were no failures or malfunctions associated with the airplane prior to the accident. He also reported that an approximate 80-degree right crosswind at 19 knots, gusting to 22 knots, existed during the accident landing.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination of the tail wheel assembly revealed no anomalies.
Contributing factors
Causes
Directional control — Not attained/maintainedPilot