# NTSB ATL99LA014: Air Tractor AT-301, N8770S, Statesboro, GA, November 9, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 9, 1998, 16:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Statesboro, GA - Coordinates: 32.439487, -81.769065 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4395&lon=-81.7691&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 22, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45255 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL99LA014 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45255/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA014 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE CARBURETOR HEAT. FACTORS WERE CONDITIONS FAVORABLE FOR THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, go-around (vfr) - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - In flight collision with object, descent - object - fence post - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was on an approach to land at the staging airstrip when he noticed that the ground crew had positioned another airplane 2000 feet down the runway. The pilot said that his landing airspeed was a little fast, so to assure a safe clearance, he elected to execute a go-around. When the pilot advanced the throttle for the go-around, the engine spit and sputtered, and lost power. As the pilot maneuvered for a forced landing, the left wing collided with a fence post. The airplane subsequently yawed left, slid on the ground, and collided with trees on the departure end of the extended runway center line. The pilot also stated that he did not apply carburetor heat unless temperatures were 70 degrees Fahrenheit or below. During the examination of the engine, the spark plugs were removed from the engine and found to be sooted. A review of the weather data disclosed that conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor icing. ## Factual narrative On November 9, 1998, about 1645 eastern standard time, an Air Tractor AT-301, N8770S, collided with a fence post during an attempted go around, at Hilde Ag Strip near Statesboro, Georgia. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. There were no injuries to the commercial pilot, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight departed the same airstrip in Statesboro, Georgia, at 1615. The pilot stated that he was on an approach to land at the staging airstrip when he noticed that the ground grew had positioned another airplane 2000 feet down the runway. The pilot said that his landing airspeed was a little fast, so to assure a safe clearance, he elected to execute a go-around. When the pilot advanced the throttle for the go-around, the engine spit and sputtered, and lost power. As the pilot maneuvered for a forced landing, the left wing collided with a fence post. The airplane subsequently yawed left, slid on the ground, and collided with trees on the departure end of the extended runway center line. The pilot also stated that he did not apply carburetor heat unless temperatures were 70 degrees Fahrenheit or below. However, according to the Air Tractor Flight Manual, during the approach and landing, the pilot is instructed to apply carburetor heat when weather conditions are favorable for the formation of carburetor ice. During the examination of the engine, the spark plugs were removed from the engine and found to be sooted. It was stated by the Federal Aviation Administration inspector that the spark plugs were re-installed in the engine and the engine was operated at a low power setting. A review of the weather data disclosed that conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor icing. ## 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: 301-0188 - Airframe hours: 6014 - Engines: P&W R-1340-AN-1 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Operator: Richard L. Hilde - Registered owner: Hilde Ag Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 1998, 89 hours before - Departed: 2J5 - Airport: Private Ag Strip ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; commercial; medical: class 2, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 1,750 total, 850 in this make and model, 1,930 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SAV, 28 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 19981109038909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981109038909A), Nov 9, 1998: Airtrc AT301, Statesboro, GA, Substantial damage. (-23)Pilot's explanation of approach and reported temp/dewpoint indicates that carburetor ice could have caused the loss of power and the go around failure… ## 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 ATL91LA059](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA059), Feb 18, 1991: Air Tractor AT-301 (N8770S), Pavo, GA, substantial damage. 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. 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.