# NTSB ATL94LA127: Air Tractor AT-301, N36484, Finley, TN, June 27, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 27, 1994, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Finley, TN - Coordinates: 35.980945, -89.579071 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9809&lon=-89.5791&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 25, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3407 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL94LA127 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3407/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA127 ## Probable cause THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. FACTORS WERE WET AND SOFT TERRAIN. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - roll/run - reason for occurrence undetermined - Overrun, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - wet - Nose over, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - soft ## Analysis ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE AIRCRAFT LOST POWER DURING THE THIRD TAKEOFF OF THE MORNING. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF BUT DURING THE BRAKING PHASE, THE WET GRASS PREVENTED THE AIRPLANE FROM STOPPING BEFORE ROLLING OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY; THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER IN AN ADJACENT SOFT FIELD. AFTER THE AIRPLANE WAS RECOVERED FROM THE FIELD, AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE FAILED TO DISCLOSE A MECHANICAL PROBLEM. DURING THE FUNCTIONAL EXAMINATION, THE ENGINE OPERATED NORMALLY THROUGH ALL POWER RANGES. ## Factual narrative On June 27, 1994, at 0900 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301, N36484, nosed over during a rejected takeoff from a sod airstrip in Finley, Tennessee. The aerial application flight operated under 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. According to the pilot, the accident occurred during the third departure of the morning. The pilot stated that he experienced a reduction in engine rpm during the takeoff roll, and elected to reject the takeoff; the wet grass prevented the pilot from stopping the airplane before it rolled off the departure end of the runway. The airplane nosed over in an adjacent plowed field. An examination of the aircraft and engine assembly failed to disclose a mechanical problem. After the airplane was placed upright on the landing gear, a functional check was completed; the engine operated normally throughout the power ranges. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N36484](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N36484-2011-04-12), registration cancelled 2011-04-12, S/N 301-0232, 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: 301-0232 - Airframe hours: 4173 - Engines: P&W 1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Greenhill Flying Company - Registered owner: H & H Flying Company - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 23, 1994, 150 hours before - Airport: NONE, Private, runway 18, 2,500 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,106 total, 850 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: DYR, 3 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 19940627019519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940627019519A), Jun 27, 1994: Airtrc AT301, Finley, TN, Substantial damage. Lost power on takeoff roll. Unable stop due wet grass, slid off end runway. Nosed over. No reason for power loss. ## Other investigations on N36484 (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 ATL99LA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA051), Mar 12, 1999: Air Tractor 301 (N36484), Finley, TN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind and his failure to maintain directional control. A factor was the gusting winds. 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.