# NTSB CHI08CA213: Air Tractor AT-401, N45029, Ida Grove, IA, August 12, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 12, 2008, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Ida Grove, IA - Coordinates: 42.332778, -95.444725 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3328&lon=-95.4447&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: DSM FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68904 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA213 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68904/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA213 ## Probable cause A failure of the turbocharger blower which resulted in the partial loss of power. Factors associated with the accident were the low altitude of the airplane and the embankment. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Turbocharging (recip only): turbocharger](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058120): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-401, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058120/cases.md?model=0390204), [All aircraft, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058120/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); 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. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-401, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=0390204), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-401, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=0390204), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: 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) ## Analysis The pilot stated that the engine was producing 36 inches of manifold pressure and 2,250 rpm during the initial takeoff. Shortly after takeoff, he noticed the airplane was not climbing and the manifold pressure dropped to 28 inches or less. The pilot landed the airplane in a soybean field and after a ground roll of about 100 feet, the airplane contacted an embankment. The airplane twisted to the right and became airborne for a distance of approximately 100 feet prior to contacting the terrain and sliding to a stop. Post accident inspection of the airplane revealed the turbocharger blower had failed. ## Factual narrative On August 12, 2008, at 1730 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-401, N45029, collided with the terrain during an off airport forced landing in Ida Grove, Iowa. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane received substantial damage to both wings and the aft fuselage. The aerial application flight was operating under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight departed the Ida Grove Municipal Airport (IDG), Ida Grove, Iowa, just prior to the accident. The pilot stated that the engine was producing 36 inches of manifold pressure and 2,250 rpm during the initial takeoff. Shortly after takeoff, he noticed the airplane was not climbing and the manifold pressure dropped to 28 inches or less. The pilot landed the airplane in a soybean field and after a ground roll of about 100 feet, the airplane contacted an embankment. The airplane twisted to the right and became airborne for a distance of approximately 100 feet prior to contacting the terrain and sliding to a stop. Post accident inspection of the airplane revealed the turbocharger blower had failed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N45029](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N45029-2013-09-26), registration cancelled 2013-09-26, S/N 401-0747, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor 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: 401-0747 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R1340AN-1 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Styron Aerial Application - Registered owner: 1 Lowflyer Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: IDG, Ida Grove, IA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 2,658 total, 905 in this make and model, 2,590 as pilot in command, 313 in the last 90 days, 160 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.82 inHg - Observed at: SUX ## 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 20080812843809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080812843809A), Aug 12, 2008: Airtrc AT401, Ida Grove, IA, Destroyed. (-23) Pilot took off to the northwest from idg, began a right hand turn toward rising terrain and started to lose manifold pressure and RPM. Aircraft lost… 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.