# NTSB ATL91LA128: Air Tractor AT-301, N31691, Hawkinsville, GA, July 12, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 12, 1991, 09:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Hawkinsville, GA
- Coordinates: 32.279533, -83.470001 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2795&lon=-83.4700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8432
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA128
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8432/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA128

## Probable cause

A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT WAS: THE ROUGH, UNEVEN TERRAIN AT THE FORCED LANDING SITE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - aerial application
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE AG PILOT WAS COMPLETING HIS LAST SPRAY PASS WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGHLY.  HE PULLED UP TO SHUT OFF THE SPRAY PUMP, AND THE ENGINE SUBSEQUENTLY QUIT.  HE ATTEMPTED TO FORCE LAND THE AIRPLANE ON A DIRT FARM ROAD, HOWEVER UPON TOUCHDOWN HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL ON THE ROUGH SURFACE.  THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A DITCH, AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED.  AN FAA INSPECTOR VISITED THE CRASH SITE AND EXAMINED THE WRECKAGE.  THE AIRCRAFT HAD AN ADEQUATE AMOUNT OF FUEL ON BOARD, AND NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION COULD BE FOUND.  THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AND SUCCESSFULLY RAN AFTER THE ACCIDENT.  THE REASON FOR THE ENGINE POWER LOSS COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N31691](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N31691), registered now, S/N 301-0585, built 1985 (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: 301-0585
- Airframe hours: 3412
- Engines: P&W 1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Third Districi Flying Service
- Registered owner: Third Districi Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 13, 1991, 70 hours before
- Departed: NONE, HAWKINSVILLE, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 17,267 total, 4,239 in this make and model, 17,267 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 129 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABY, 43 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 19910712027139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910712027139A), Jul 12, 1991: Airtrc AT301, Hawkinsville, GA, Substantial damage. Reported engine backfired and quit. Landed on a road. Slid into ditch. Engine ran normal on post accident test.

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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