# NTSB ATL00LA044: Air Tractor AT-301, N8899S, Colquitt, GA, April 20, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 20, 2000, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Colquitt, GA - Coordinates: 31.167222, -84.719169 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1672&lon=-84.7192&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Atlanta FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 49017 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL00LA044 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49017/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL00LA044 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - roll/run - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - In flight collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - object - fence ## Analysis The accident occurred as the pilot started his initial departure for the spraying operation. According to the pilot, when full throttle was applied for takeoff, the engine was only able to generate 63% of torque. After 1500 feet of ground roll, the pilot elected to abort the takeoff. The airplane collided with a fence on the departure end of the runway. Examination of the engine assembly failed to disclose any obvious mechanical malfunction or component failure. The engine examination revealed that the fuel control and fuel pump assembly was displaced from the normally installed position. According to the pilot, the engine continued to produce power throughout the entire sequence of the attempted takeoff. He also stated that the normal takeoff power required for takeoff is 75% torque. The engine never developed normal takeoff torque during this attempted takeoff. ## Factual narrative On April 20, 2000, at 1530 eastern daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301, N8899S, collided with the ground while maneuvering for a forced landing near Colquitt, Georgia. The aerial application flight was operated by the commercial pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 137 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the pilot was not injured. The flight departed time from the staging area in Colquitt, Georgia, at 1500. The accident occurred as the pilot started his initial departure for the spraying operation. According to the pilot, when full throttle was applied for takeoff, the engine was only able to generate 63% of torque. After 1500 feet of ground roll the pilot elected to abort the takeoff. The airplane collided with a fence on the departure end of the runway. The examination of the airplane showed that there were approximately 40 gallons of fuel onboard. The examination also revealed that the fuel system filters were not obstructed. During the engine examination, the compressor and power sections rotated freely and were not obstructed. Examination of the engine assembly failed to disclose any obvious mechanical malfunction or component failure. The engine examination revealed that the fuel control and fuel pump assembly was displaced from the normally installed position. The propeller governor was torn from the engine assembly. According to the pilot, the engine continued to produce power throughout the entire sequence of the attempted takeoff. He also stated that the normal takeoff power required for takeoff is 75% torque. The engine never developed normal takeoff torque during this attempted takeoff. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8899S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8899S-2017-06-01), registration cancelled 2017-06-01, S/N 301-0228, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-301 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-301) (registry code 0390103) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 0228 - Airframe hours: 5500 - Engines: Garrett TPE-331-11 555 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Randall Richardson - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 11, 2000, 6 hours before - Departed: Colquitt, GA - Airport: Unknown, runway 36, 2,000 × 150 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 6,000 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: DHN, 45 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20000420008479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000420008479A), Apr 20, 2000: Airtrc AT301, Colquitt, GA, No damage. (-23) Pilot attempted takeoff using an under-pwered a/c. pilot reported observing 63 per cent indicated torque instead of the norman indicated torque of… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.