Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary CHI93LA170

OCONTO, NE, USA

Aircraft #1

N4503U

AIR TRACTOR AT-401

Analysis

THE PILOT WAS OVER FLYING A FIELD IN PREPARATION FOR A SPRAYING RUN WHEN A RAIN SHOWER OCCURRED. THE PILOT STATED A MICROBURST WAS ENCOUNTERED AND HE DUMPED THE CHEMICAL LOAD IN AN ATTEMPT TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE. THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED FROM AN ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 400 FEET TO IMPACT WITH THE TERRAIN. A SURFACE WEATHER REPORT ISSUED 25 MINUTES AFTER THE ACCIDENT FROM THE BROKEN BOW AIRPORT, 19 MILES NORTH-NORTHEAST OF THE ACCIDENT SITE, REPORTED VIRGA SOUTH-SOUTHWEST OF THE AIRPORT.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AFTER ENCOUNTERING A DOWNDRAFT.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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