# NTSB ATL91LA059: Air Tractor AT-301, N8770S, Pavo, GA, February 18, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 18, 1991, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Pavo, GA
- Coordinates: 30.959939, -83.729347 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.9599&lon=-83.7293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8378
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA059
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8378/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA059

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE NO. 2 EXHAUST VALVE AND CYLINDER HEAD, WHICH RESULTED IN A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.  A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE COLLISION WITH A ROAD SIGN DURING THE FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - aerial application
  - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - sign (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE NO. 2 EXHAUST VALVE FAILED WHILE THE PILOT WAS MANEUVERING DURING A SPRAYING OPERATION.  HE COMPLETED AN EMERGENCY LANDING TO A ROAD AND COLLIDED WITH A ROAD SIGN DURING THE ROLL OUT.  REPORTEDLY, THE ENGINE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1100 HOURS OUT OF THE LAST OVERHAUL; THE ENGINE'S TOTAL TIME WAS NOT AVAILABLE.  THE FAILURE MODE WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8770S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8770S-2018-02-21), registration cancelled 2018-02-21, S/N 301-0188, 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: AT-301-188
- Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Air Farming, Inc.
- Registered owner: Air Farming, Inc.
- Departed: 4J5, QUITMAN, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 9,000 total, 3,000 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 12 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: VLD, 25 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 19910218002809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910218002809A), Feb 18, 1991: Airtrc AT301, Pavo, GA, Substantial damage. Lost power on spray run. Landed on a road safely but hit a road sign. NR2 exhaust valve failed. Broke cylinder.

## Other investigations on N8770S (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 ATL99LA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA014), Nov 9, 1998: Air Tractor AT-301 (N8770S), Statesboro, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE CARBURETOR HEAT. FACTORS WERE CONDITIONS FAVORABLE FOR THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE.

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.

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