# NTSB ATL97LA127: Air Tractor AT-301, N7307C, Clewiston, FL, August 29, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 29, 1997, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Clewiston, FL
- Coordinates: 26.750097, -80.929466 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.7501&lon=-80.9295&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 7, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3895
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA127
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3895/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA127

## Probable cause

The crack in the #8 cylinder head which led to the loss of power.  A factor was the soft terrain.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - aerial application
  - engine assembly,cylinder - cracked (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, emergency landing
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

While on an aerial application flight, the pilot reported that the engine started shaking.  The airplane was soon unable to maintain altitude, so the pilot attempted a forced landing in a soft field.  After touching down, the airplane sank into the soft field, and it nosed over.  According to the FAA inspector, the engine had a crack in the #8 cylinder head which led to the loss of power.

## Factual narrative

On August 29, 1997, about 1330 eastern daylight time, a Air Tractor AT-301, N7307C, lost engine power and executed a forced landing into a field near Clewiston, Florida.  The airplane was operated by Story Aviation, Inc. under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 137, and visual flight rules.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  No flight plan was filed for this aerial application flight.  The commercial pilot was not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged.  The local flight originated from a private strip in Clewiston, Florida about 1330.

According to the pilot, he was spraying a field with fertilizer when the aircraft's engine started shaking.  He stated it quickly became worse until he did not have enough power to maintain altitude.  He dumped his load of fertilizer and attempted to land in an open field.  After touchdown, the airplane's wheels sank into the soft field, and the airplane nosed over.

According to a FAA inspector, the #8 cylinder head had cracked through the spark plug hole.  This led to a loss of engine power.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7307C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7307C-2012-08-22), registration cancelled 2012-08-22, S/N 301-0616, 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: 301-0616
- Airframe hours: 5473
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN-1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Story Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 22, 1997, 72 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 9,215 total, 2,110 in this make and model, 8,980 as pilot in command, 242 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI, 60 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 19970829026839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970829026839A), Aug 29, 1997: Airtrc AT301, Clewiston, FL, Substantial damage. Engine shaking losing power. Landed in soft field. Nosed over. Nr 8 cylinder had cracked thru spark plug hole. (-23) on 08/29/97 at approximately 1230 eastern…

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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