# NTSB ATL86LA267: Air Tractor AT-301, N44245, Town Creek, AL, September 29, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 29, 1986, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Town Creek, AL
- Coordinates: 34.670501, -87.399917 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6705&lon=-87.3999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7199
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA267
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7199/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA267

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE HAD DEVELOPED A 'MISS' AND A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING WAS MADE NEAR THE COTTON FIELDS INTENDED TO BE SPRAYED. TROUBLE-SHOOTING AND FULL POWER RUN-UPS DID NOT REVEAL ANY PROBLEMS, THEREFORE, THE PILOT ELECTED TO TAKEOFF AND CONTINUE THE AERIAL APPLICATION. DURING INITIAL CLIMB AT 30 FT AGL THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND A HARD FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN THE COTTON FIELD. THERE WAS NO DETERMINATION AS TO THE REASON FOR THE LOSS OF POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N44245 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR AT-301
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 361-0084
- Airframe hours: 3398
- Engines: P&W R1340 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Brooks Agricultural Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 22, 1986
- Departed: TOWN CREEK, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 13,500 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 350 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

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.