# NTSB ATL98LA117: Air Tractor 401, N10103, Holly Bluff, MS, August 22, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 22, 1998, 11:15 local (16:15 UTC) - Place: Holly Bluff, MS - Coordinates: 32.769634, -90.710494 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7696&lon=-90.7105&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 21, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43744 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL98LA117 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43744/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA117 ## Probable cause The malfunction of the carburetor which resulted in improper fuel flow to the engine. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - aerial application - fuel system,carburetor - malfunction (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing ## Analysis The pilot reported that he had been flying about forty five minutes on this load of fuel, and estimated that he had in excess of one hour of fuel remaining. While on the first swath run climb out from a field, the engine lost power. The pilot also reported that as the engine lost power, black smoke was seen coming from the exhaust. According to the pilot, the only available emergency landing area was straight ahead. During the post-accident examination of the engine assembly, the engine was started, it ran roughly, and produced black smoke. Further examination disclosed that fuel pressure supplied by the engine driven fuel pump was not being maintained in the pressure carburetor. According to a local mechanic assisting in the examination, the loss of fuel pressure in the carburetor is normally associated with a defective needle assembly in the carburetor. According to the operator, the maintenance records showed that the engine assembly had accumulated 1150 hours of service since the last overhaul. The recommended time between engine overhauls is 1200 hours. The engine maintenance records also failed to show if the carburetor had been overhauled since the last engine overhaul. ## Factual narrative On August 22,1998, at 1115 central daylight time, an Air Tractor 401, N10103, collided with the ground, according to the pilot, during a forced landing near Holly Bluff, Mississippi. The aerial application flight was operated by Producers Flying Inc., under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 137 with no flight plan filed. A review of weather data from the nearest reporting facility disclosed that visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane received substantial damage. The commercial pilot was not injured. The aerial application flight departed Holly Bluff, Mississippi, at 1030. The pilot reported that he had been flying about forty five minutes on this load of fuel, and estimated that he had in excess of one hour of fuel remaining. While on the first swath run climb out from a field, the engine lost power. The pilot also reported that as the engine lost power, black smoke was seen coming from the exhaust. According to the pilot, the only available emergency landing area was straight ahead. During the post-accident examination of the engine assembly, the engine was started, it ran roughly, and produced black smoke. Further examination disclosed that fuel pressure supplied by the engine driven fuel pump was not being maintained in the pressure carburetor. According to a local mechanic assisting in the examination, the loss of fuel pressure in the carburetor is normally associated with a defective needle assembly in the carburetor. According to the operator, the maintenance records showed that the engine assembly had accumulated 1150 hours of service since the last overhaul. The recommended time between engine overhauls is 1200 hours. The engine maintenance records also failed to show if the carburetor had been overhauled since the last engine overhaul. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N10103](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N10103-2016-09-07), registration cancelled 2016-09-07, S/N 401-0709, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor 401 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-401](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-401) (registry code 0390204) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 401-0709 - Airframe hours: 4712 - Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Producers Flying Inc,. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 21, 1998, 383 hours before - Departed: NONE ## 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: front; flight hours: 5,050 total, 175 in this make and model, 300 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: JAN, 30 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 19980822029999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980822029999A), Aug 22, 1998: Airtrc AT401, Holly Bluff, MS, Substantial damage. The pilot reported he had been flying about forty five minutes on this load of fuel, and estimated that he had in excess of one hour of fuel remaining. While… ## Other investigations on N10103 (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 MKC89LA190](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA190), Aug 26, 1989: Air Tractor AT-401 (N10103), Wabbaseka, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE TALL VEGETATION (GRASS). THE TALL VEGETATION & HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE WERE CONSIDERED TO BE… 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.