19980217001319A

On February 17, 1998, 1998, at 1734 hours pacific standard time, an air tractor AT-301, N3656C, lost power during the takeoff initial climb and collided with the ground during an attempted return to the runway at the Wasco, California, airport. The aircraft sustained substantial damage and the commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The local area aerial application flight was originating at the time of the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that at roatation from runway 30, he heard a loud bank followed by a strong engine vibration. He initiated a left turn in an attempt to return to the runway and saw a puff of smoke and a flash of flame emitting from the engine. The engine then quit completely. The pilot reported that the aircraft impacted the ground before he was able to return to the runway. The landing gear separated from the aircraft, the aircraft nosed over, and came to rest inverted. A federal aviation administration inspector from fresno, California, flight standards district office, conducted an on-site examination of the aircraft. He reported that the number two cylinder was cracked between the aft spark plug porthole to the forward spark plug porthole. The engine had approximately 559 hours since the last major overhaul. The aircraft owner/operator reported that a cracked cylinder was typical on the R1340 series engines, usually due to the pilot overboosting the engine on takeoff., he stated that the pilot had cracked a cylinder on the accident aircraft on five previous occasions, as well as on other aircraft. The owner stated that normally they would just replace the cylinder. He further reported that he rigorously trains all his pilots in emergency procedures. The pilot of the aircraft did not respond to the safety board's requests for the pilot/operator report. The pilot no longer works for the owner. (-23) aircraft, N3656C, an air tractor, s/n 301-0304, departed the Wasco-Kern co. airport (L19) at approximately 1730 hrs. To perform aerial application. Upon rotation, the pilot heard a loud bang and felt vibration coming from the engine area. In addition, there was a loss of power and light smoke was observed. The pilot attempted to return to the airport by turning left towards an open hayfield. The aircraft contacted the ground severing the wh eel assemblies at their main gears and scraped the right wing. The pilot over corrected from the right wing contacting the ground, causing the aircraft to roll onto the left wing, pivoting on the engine and propeller assemblies as the aircraft went inverted.