# NTSB CEN10CA582: Air Tractor AT-301, N2309F, Atkins, AR, September 17, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 17, 2010, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Atkins, AR - Coordinates: 35.209999, -92.929443 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2100&lon=-92.9294&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 12, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 77491 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA582 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77491/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77491 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA582 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power during low-altitude flight for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was conducting an aerial application flight when he observed a puff of smoke from the radial engine. The engine then experienced a partial loss of power and the pilot attempted to land at a nearby airstrip. While maneuvering to land, the airplane's descent rate did not allow for a landing on the airstrip and the pilot subsequently landed in a rice field. During the landing roll, the airplane nosed over and sustained substantial damage to its vertical fin. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative The commercial pilot was flying an aerial application flight when the pilot observed a puff of smoke come from the radial engine. The airplane experienced a partial loss of engine power, so the pilot attempted to land at a nearby airstrip. While maneuvering to land, the airplane's descent rate did not allow for a landing of the airstrip and the airplane landed in a rice field. During the landing roll out, the airplane nosed over and came to rest in the inverted position. Substantial damage was sustained to the airplane's vertical fin. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2309F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2309F-2015-12-11), registration cancelled 2015-12-11, S/N 301-0354 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC 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: 301-0354 - Engines: P&W R1340 SERIES 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Clark Kelly W Jr - Registered owner: Clark Kelly W Jr - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: Atkins, AR - Destination: Atkins, AR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: single; flight hours: 2,154 total, 355 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg ## 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 20100917046689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100917046689A), Sep 17, 2010: Air Tractor AT-301, Atkins, AR, Substantial damage. On sep 17, 2010, 1445 local, AT-301, N2309F, serial # 310-0354, was conducting aerial application operations over a wheat field 5 miles south of Atkins, AR.… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 10, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77491. 14 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1: Not obtained (item 1, .PDF, 14 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40340132&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%3A%20Not%20obtained-Master.PDF 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.