Air Tractor INC AT 401 accident near Waco, Texas, October 1, 2013
On October 1, 2013 at about 10:30 pm local time, a 1989 Air Tractor INC AT 401, registered N1013R, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Waco, Texas (Private airport). It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff in gusting wind conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 1, 2013 · about 10:30 pm local time
- Place
- Waco, Texas · Private · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Air Tractor INC AT 401 UNDESIGNAT, built 1989 · all AT 401s on the register
- Registration
- N1013R · no longer on the register · serial 401-0723
- 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 during takeoff from a grass strip, he lost control of the airplane when it encountered a gust of wind causing the airplane to roll to the right. The right wing contacted the high vegetation along the airstrip and the airplane subsequently nosed over. Both wings and the rudder were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failure with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 8,400 hours in all; 8,000 in this make and model; 300 in the last 90 days; 100 in the last 30 days; 8,300 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 20, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,575 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 10, 2013; 68 hours since
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W 1340 AN1 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Corpora Aerial Service INC
The flight
- Departed from: Waco TX
- Destination: Waco TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway None, 2,000 ft by 20 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.