# NTSB CHI92DTG05: Air Tractor AT-301, N8823S, Alice, ND, September 10, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: September 10, 1992, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Alice, ND
- Location: 46.7600° N, 97.5562° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Alice, ND, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.7600&lon=-97.5562&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15261
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92DTG05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15261/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92DTG05

## Probable cause

COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AS A RESULT OF THE PARTIAL FAILURE OF FOUR PISTONS.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff
  - engine assembly,piston - failure,partial (cause)
  - engine assembly,cylinder - decompression
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
- Nose over, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AGRICULTURAL PILOT WAS ON HIS SECOND FLIGHT OF THE DAY.  JUST AFTER TAKEOFF HE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER.  THE AIRPLANE LANDED IN SOME SMALL TREES 50 FEET FROM THE END OF THE RUNWAY, AND NOSED-OVER INTO A CORN FIELD. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT FOUR OF THE CYLINDERS HAD LOST COMPRESSION, AND THAT THE PISTON RING LANDS OF THE FOUR PISTONS IN THESE CYLINDERS WERE DAMAGED, ALLOWING BLOW-BY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8823S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8823S-2008-08-05), registration cancelled 2008-08-05, S/N 301-0198, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR 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: 301-0198
- Airframe hours: 3023
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Kirby J. Hahn, doing business as Hahn Spraying Service
- Registered owner: Kirby J. Hahn
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 7, 1992, 147 hours before
- Departed: 04ND
- Destination: 04ND
- Airport: 04ND, Hahn Field, runway 18, 2,040 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 3,000 total, 700 in this make and model, 2,800 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 0.5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAR, 30 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 19920910042119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920910042119A), Sep 10, 1992: Airtrc AT301, Embden, ND, Substantial damage. Engine failed on liftoff. Settled into trees. Engine general poor condition. Mag timing bad ignition harness bare.

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.

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