GUYMON, OK, USA
N315PF
AIR TRACTOR AT-301
THE AERIAL APPLICATION PILOT DEPARTED HIS HOME BASE WITH A LOAD OF 305 GALLONS OF SOLUTION. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT 'IT WAS IMMEDIATELY APPARENT THAT MORE POWER WAS REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AND THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS PERFORMING POORLY.' WHILE LINING UP FOR THE FIRST SWATH RUN, 'THE AIRSPEED DROPPED TO 75 MPH AND A SINK RATE STARTED THAT I COULDN'T STOP EVEN WITH FULL POWER AND QUARTER FLAPS.' THE AIRPLANE'S LANDING GEAR STRUCK A FIVE STRAND BARBED WIRE FENCE AND THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE GROUND SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGING THE WING, LANDING GEAR, FUSELAGE, AND ENGINE MOUNT. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS ABOUT 5,100 FEET.
On June 16, 1995, at 0835 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301, N315PF, was substantially damaged while maneuvering near Guymon, Oklahoma. The airline transport rated pilot was not injured. The aircraft was owned and operated by Earl Kokendoffer, under Title 14 CFR Part 137. The flight originated from Guymon Municipal Airport near Guymon, Oklahoma, at 0825. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial application flight and a flight plan was not filed. According to the Pilot/Operator Report, the pilot departed Guymon with 305 gallons of solution and "It was immediately apparent that more power was required to maintain altitude and that the airplane was performing poorly." A bank angle of more than 15 degrees resulted in a loss of altitude and airspeed. The pilot further stated that during the approach for the first swath, "the airspeed dropped to 75 mph and a sink rate started that I couldn't stop even with full power and quarter flaps." As the airplane was flown under some high-power lines, "I was unable to arrest the sink rate and when the landing gear contacted a five strand barbed wire [fence] my remaining air speed was lost; the airplane quit flying." Substantial damage occurred to right wing, landing gear, fuselage, and engine mount. Guymon Municipal Airport is at an elevation of 3,123 feet. At the time of the accident, the temperature was reported to be 79 degrees. The investigator-in-charge calculated the density altitude to be approximately 5,100 feet.
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED. THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS A FACTOR.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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