Incident Overview
On May 8, 2013, at approximately 1600 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301 airplane, registration N23257, impacted terrain near Lyon, Kansas. The aircraft was performing an aerial application flight under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 and was operated by Ag Air Service. The commercial pilot was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
Pilot Account
During a telephone interview, the pilot reported that while leveling off the airplane at the start of an aerial application run, he heard a loud bang. A portion of the right door's acrylic glass broke and struck the pilot's shoulder. The pilot was momentarily distracted by the impact, and the airplane descended into the crops. The pilot applied full power, but the airplane, slowed by the crop contact, could not climb and subsequently impacted terrain in an adjacent field.
Examination Findings
An examination by the responding Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the aft hinge of the right door was cracked at the front and rear attach points, and the right door had opened in flight.