N315PF

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.