# NTSB CEN10LA420: Air Tractor AT-401, N45297, Toulin, IL, July 21, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 21, 2010, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Toulin, IL - Coordinates: 41.090648, -89.860931 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0906&lon=-89.8609&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 11, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Springfield FDSO - ADs cited in the narratives: [AD 99-11-02](https://openairdocs.org/ad/99-11-02) (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB case key (mKey): 76714 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10LA420 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76714/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76714 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA420 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power as a result of a cracked cylinder and the reduced visibility due to the oil-covered windshield. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng cyl section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Fatigue/wear/corrosion (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-401, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md?model=0390204), [All aircraft, 373 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng cyl section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-401, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md?model=0390204), [All aircraft, 373 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md) - [Windows-windshield system: flight compartment windows](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035610): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-401, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035610/cases.md?model=0390204), [All aircraft, 42 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035610/cases.md) - [Personnel issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02050000): Personnel issues › Miscellaneous · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-401, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02050000/cases.md?model=0390204), [All aircraft, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02050000/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-401, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=0390204), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/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 (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-401, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=0390204), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-401, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0390204), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-401, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=0390204), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-401, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=0390204), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he had made his last agricultural spray run. The airplane was about 200 feet above ground level when one of the engine's cylinders cracked resulting in oil covering the windshield. The pilot flew to a satellite airstrip about 5 miles away. The pilot reported that the airstrip was short and his visibility was reduced due to the oil-covered windshield. The airplane overran the runway and nosed over when it collided with a ditch. A postaccident inspection of the airplane revealed that the number two cylinder of the engine had a crack located near the front spark plug and stretching to the rear spark plug. The Federal Aviation Administration had previously issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD) addressing the accident engine model. The AD required initial and repetitive visual and florescent penetration inspections of cylinders for cracking. This document was prompted by reports of cylinder head cracking which can result in the loss of engine power. The airplane’s logbooks indicated that 18 hours of time in service had elapsed since the last visual inspection of the cylinder per the AD requirements. ## Factual narrative On July 21, 2010, at 1300 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-401, N45297, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing to a cornfield after a loss of engine power near Toulon, Illinois. The commercial pilot was not injured. The 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 agricultural spraying flight departed Walnut, Illinois, about 1230 on a local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he had made his last spray run and pulled out of the field. The airplane was about 200 feet above ground level when “the cylinder cracked” and oil covered the windshield. The pilot flew to the satellite airstrip about 4 – 6 miles away. The pilot reported that the airstrip was short, and because he could not see very well out of the oil covered windshield, the airplane overran the runway and nosed over when it hit a ditch. The inspection of the airplane revealed that the airframe behind the cockpit was bent. The # 2 cylinder of the engine had a crack from the area near the front spark plug to the rear spark plug. On July 19, 1999, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued Airworthiness Directive (AD) 99-11-02, for Pratt and Whitney R-1340 series reciprocating engines. The AD required initial and repetitive visual and florescent penetration inspections of cylinders for head cracking. This was prompted by reports of cylinder head cracking which can result in engine power loss, forced landing, and damage to the aircraft. For cowled and baffled installations, the AD required that a visual inspection of the cylinders be accomplished at intervals not to exceed 250 hours time in service since the last inspection. For all other installations, the AD required that a visual inspection of the cylinders was to be accomplished at intervals not to exceed 100 hours time in service since the last inspection. A FAA inspector examined the airplane’s logbooks and reported that 18 hours of time in service had elapsed since the last inspection of the cylinder per AD 99-11-02. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N45297](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N45297-2015-07-17), registration cancelled 2015-07-17, S/N 401-0760 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT-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: 401-0760 - Engines: P&W R1340 SERIES 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Robert N. Morgan - Registered owner: Woodley Craig S - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: Walnut, IL - Destination: Walnut, IL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: single; flight hours: 1,775 total, 213 in this make and model, 1,775 as pilot in command, 88 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F ## 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 20100721039479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100721039479A), Jul 21, 2010: Air Tractor AT-401, Bradford, IL, Substantial damage. During aerial application the aircraft lost power at approximetly 200-300 feet AGL. The pilot was able to maneuver the aircraft to an unidentified airstrip… ## Other investigations on N45297 (2) 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 CHI03LA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA095), Mar 31, 2003: Air Tractor AT-401 (N45297), Knox, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power due to oil starvation as a result of the failure of the master rod bearing. Contributing factors were the tree line at the edge of the field, and the unsuitable terrain. - [NTSB FTW94LA256](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA256), Aug 2, 1994: Air Tractor AT-401 (N45297), Mcgehee, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AS THE ENGINE SEIZED DUE TO A BLOWER BEARING FAILURE. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING. ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 18, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76714. 1.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 585 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40342719&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA AD 99-11-02 (item 2, .PDF, 472 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40342720&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20AD%2099-11-02-Master.PDF - P&W Service Bulletin (item 3, .PDF, 730 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40342721&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=P%26W%20Service%20Bulletin-Redacted.PDF - FAA Maintenance and Difficulty Report (item 4, .PDF, 127 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40342723&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Maintenance%20and%20Difficulty%20Report-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.