Air Tractor AT-301 accident near Malden, Missouri, April 2, 2010
On April 2, 2010 at about 3:20 pm local time, a Air Tractor AT-301, registered N3653T, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Malden, Missouri. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree during an aerial application flight.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 2, 2010 · about 3:20 pm local time
- Place
- Malden, Missouri · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Air Tractor AT-301
- Registration
- N3653T · no longer on the register · serial 301-0282
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that the airplane encountered a downdraft after completing an aerial application pass. While climbing away from the field, the airplane’s right wing impacted a tree and the pilot performed an off-field landing instead of returning to the departure airport. The main landing gear collapsed during the landing in a rough field. A postimpact fire ensued on the right wing after the airplane came to rest. The airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing
- Landing gear collapse during landing (landing roll)
- Fire/smoke (post-impact)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Response/compensation
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Rough terrain › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,388 hours in all; 1,004 in this make and model; 50 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days; 1,300 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 12, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 10,984 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 5, 2009
- Maximum gross weight: 7,400 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pratt & Whitney R1340AN-1 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: KM85 Gideon MO at 2:45 pm
- Destination: KM85 Gideon MO
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 29.89 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from KPOF, 19 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.