# NTSB CEN10LA353: Air Tractor AT-602, N4257R, Penrose, AR, June 14, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 14, 2010, 09:15 local (14:15 UTC) - Place: Penrose, AR - Coordinates: 35.227779, -91.093055 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2278&lon=-91.0931&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 17, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, Pratt & Whitney Canada Inc. - NTSB case key (mKey): 76466 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10LA353 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76466/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76466 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA353 ## Probable cause The loss of partial engine power due to a fatigue crack in the engine's fuel control bellows. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine fuel and control: fuel controlling system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057320): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Fatigue/wear/corrosion (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057320/cases.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 59 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057320/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-602, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis While approximately 75 feet above the ground, the airplane experienced a partial loss of engine power. Unable to maintain altitude, the pilot performed a forced landing to a wet rice field. During the landing, the airplane impacted a dirt mound, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. During the postaccident engine examination, the fuel control unit was removed and a functional test of the unit performed. The test revealed that the fuel unit's evacuated bellows had developed a fatigue crack in the outer ply surface. This crack would have resulted in a reduced fuel flow to the engine and a subsequent loss of engine power. Laboratory analysis concluded that the crack had originated in an area of several corrosion pits. The cause of the corrosion could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On June 14, 2010, about 0915 central daylight time, an Air Tractor Inc., AT-602, N4257R, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power near Penrose, Arkansas. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by Reynolds Flying Service Inc., of McCrory, Arkansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 agricultural application flight. The local flight departed at an unknown time. According to the pilot, while approximately 75 feet above the ground, the turbine powered airplane experienced a partial loss of engine power. Unable to maintain altitude, the pilot performed a forced landing to a wet rice field. During landing, the airplane impacted a dirt mound, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector responded to the accident site and reported that the airplane's empennage, left wing and fuselage, sustained structural damage during the accident. The FAA inspector, along with a representative from Pratt and Whitney Canada Inc., examined the engine. The compressor turbine and the first stage power turbine vane ring displayed contact signatures consistent with the engine being powered near idle at the time of impact. Functional testing of the fuel control unit revealed that the unit's evacuated bellows had developed a fatigue crack in the outer ply surface. This crack would have resulted in a reduced fuel flow to the engine, and a subsequent loss of engine power. Laboratory analysis concluded that the crack had originated in an area of several corrosion pits. The cause of the corrosion could not be conclusively determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4257R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4257R-2018-04-25), registration cancelled 2018-04-25, S/N 602-1146, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT-602 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-602](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-602) (registry code 0390309) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-60AG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-60ag) (registry code 52101, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 602-1146 - Airframe hours: 1940 - Engines: P&W CANADA PT6A-60AG 1050 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Reynolds Flying Service Inc - Registered owner: Reynolds Flying Service Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 20, 2010 - Departed: Penrose, AR - Destination: Penrose, AR - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 27, 2009; seat: single; flight hours: 16,000 total, 6,000 in this make and model, 16,000 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: M19, 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 20100614050329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100614050329A), Jun 14, 2010: Air Tractor AT-602, Mccrory, AR, Substantial damage. On June 14, 2010, Air Tractor AT-602, N4257R was being operated near Mccrory, Arkansas, in visual meteorological conditions under 14CFR, part 137. The aircraft… ## Other investigations on N4257R (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 CEN17FA259](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA259), Jul 8, 2017: Air Tractor AT 602 (N4257R), Cash, AR, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's incapacitation due to a cardiac event, which resulted in a loss of airplane control. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 11, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76466. 4.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349643&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.