# NTSB CHI08CA246: Air Tractor AT-802A, N9078G, Turton, SD, August 10, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 10, 2008, 06:35 local (11:35 UTC) - Place: Turton, SD - Coordinates: 45.043056, -98.102775 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0431&lon=-98.1028&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 68764 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA246 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68764/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA246 ## Probable cause The failure of the starter generator which resulted in the subsequent loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident were the low altitude at which the airplane was operating, the tall grass, and the ditch. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine starting: starter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058011): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-802A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058011/cases.md?model=0390308), [All aircraft, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058011/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-802A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=0390308), [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. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-802A, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=0390308), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-802A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=0390308), [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-802A, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0390308), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while in cruise flight at approximately 500 feet above ground level, the radios began "popping and breaking squelch." He stated that he realized the generator system failed and approximately 30 seconds later, the engine began to lose power. He advanced the throttle and turned back toward the departure airport. The pilot stated the engine then began to vibrate and rapidly lose power. The pilot dumped the chemical load and identified a road on which to land. During the landing, the left wing caught in the tall grass alongside the road, spinning the airplane around and into a ditch. Inspection revealed the starter generator failed which was followed shortly thereafter by the loss of engine power. The pilot reported the starter generator was on fire after the accident. ## Factual narrative On August 10, 2008, at 0635 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-802A, N9078G, collided with a ditch during an off airport forced landing in Turton, South Dakota. The pilot was not injured. The airplane received substantial damage. The aerial application flight was operated by Wilbur-Ellis Air LLC under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Huron, South Dakota, at 0615. The pilot reported that while in cruise flight at approximately 500 feet above ground level, the radios began "popping and breaking squelch." He stated he realized the generator system failed and approximately 30 seconds later, the engine began to lose power. He advanced the throttle and turned back toward the departure airport. The pilot stated the engine then began to vibrate and rapidly lose power. The pilot dumped the chemical load and identified a road on which to land. During the landing, the left wing caught in the tall grass alongside the road, spinning the airplane around and into a ditch. The pilot reported the starter generator failed which was followed shortly thereafter by the loss of engine power. He reported the starter generator was on fire after the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9078G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9078G), registered now, S/N 802A-0015, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-802A - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-802A](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-802a) (registry code 0390308) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-65AG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-65ag) (registry code 52109, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 802A-0015 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-65AG turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Wilbur-Ellis Air LLC - Registered owner: Krech Greg Trustee - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: HON, Huron, SD - Destination: Turton, SD ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 9,078 total, 856 in this make and model, 8,990 as pilot in command, 622 in the last 90 days, 185 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Wind: 120° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: HON 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.