# Accident 19980828022369A: Airtrc AT401, Ottowa Twnsp, MN, August 28, 1998

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 28, 1998, 18:45 local time
- Place: Ottowa Twnsp, MN
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Low Level Operations
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: PUGG
- Location: 45.8609° N, 96.1904° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8609&lon=-96.1904&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4543F, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4543F-2000-05-11) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Air Tractor AT-401 (registry code 0390204, https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-401) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIRTRC AT401
- Reported engine: PWA R1340AN1
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 7,700 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 300 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CHI98LA355](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA355) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980828022369A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON AUGUST 28, 1998, AT 1845 CENTRAL DAYLIGHT TIME, AN AIR TRACTOR AT-401, N4543F, PILOTED BY A COMMERCIAL PILOT, WAS DESTROYED DURING A COLLISION WITH THE GROUND WHILE MANEUVERING DURING A SWATH RUN. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE 14 CFR PART 137 WAS NOT OPERATING ON A FLIGHT PLAN. THE PILOT REPORTED NO INJURIES. THE FLIGHT DEPARTED NORCROSS, MINNESOTA, EXACT TIME UNKNOWN. THE PILOT REPORTED A PARTIAL POWER LOSS AFTER COMPLETING AN AERIAL APPLICATION SWATH RUN. HE SAID HE EJECTED THE CHEMICALS HE WAS SPRAYING AND WAS MANEUVERING FOR A FORCED LANDING WHEN THE RIGHT WING AND LANDING GEAR COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. HE REPORTED THE AIRPLANE CARTWHEELED AND ROLLED OVER THE GROUND BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. (-23)  AIRCRAFT LOST POWER AFTER ONE PASS ON AERIAL APPLICATION (NORTH TO SOUTH)  THREE WITNESS HEARD ENGINE MISFIRING, PILOT TURNED TO THE SOUTHEAST, DUMPED HIS CHEMICAL LOAD, ATTEMPTED VARIOUS POWER PITCH SETTINGS, LANDED IN PLOWED MUDDY FARM FIELD.  AIRCRAFT INVERTED ON IMPACT AND POWER PLANT SEPARATED FROM AIR FRAME.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CHI98LA355](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA355), Aug 28, 1998: Air Tractor AT-401 (N4543F), N. Ottawa Twp., MN, destroyed. Probable cause: A loss of engine power due to a worn piston ring. A related factor was the owner exceeded the manufacturer's recommended engine overhaul.

## Other reports on N4543F (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19950804021859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950804021859A), Aug 4, 1995: Airtrc AT401 (N4543F), Aurora, NE, Substantial damage. Engine smoke on spray run. Pulled up. Engine quit. Nosed over landing. NR4 cylinder cracked jammed valve.
- [Incident 19910721040989I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910721040989I), Jul 21, 1991: Airtrc AT401 (N4543F), Aurora, NE, Minor damage. Engine lost power on a spraying run. Precautionary landing on road. Found metal particles in the oil screen.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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