# NTSB CHI94DTG02: Air Tractor AT301, N4349S, Lawton, ND, June 29, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report - Date: June 29, 1994, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Lawton, ND - Coordinates: 48.299427, -98.359786 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.2994&lon=-98.3598&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 27, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9355 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94DTG02 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9355/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94DTG02 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper use of carburetor heat. The carburetor icing weather condition was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - aerial application - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - fuel system,carburetor - ice - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - none suitable - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s) ## Analysis THE AERIAL APPLICATOR WAS IN A TURN TO ENTER A FIELD ON A SWATH RUN WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING ON A NARROW ROAD AND STRUCK A PILE OF ROCKS DURING LANDING ROLL. NO ANOMALIES WERE FOUND WITH THE ENGINE WHEN EXAMINED BY AN FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTOR. THE TEMPERATURE/DEW POINT WERE 73/53. THESE VALUES ARE IN THE AREA CONDUCIVE TO CARBURETOR ICING. THE CARBURETOR HEAT WAS IN THE 'OFF' POSITION. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 29, 1994, at 1600 central daylight time, an Air Tractor, AT301, N4349S, registered to, and operated by Richard Ring, dba Ring's Aerial Spraying, Langdon, North Dakota, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Lawton, North Dakota. The pilot stated the engine quit while he was making a turn to enter a spray swath. He said he made a forced landing, on a narrow road and collided with a rock pile. The commercial pilot was not injured. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 137 in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was filed. The last point of departure was Edmore, North Dakota, at 1530. TESTS AND RESEARCH The airplane was removed from the road and taken to the operator's facility where it was examined by an Airworthiness Inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration, Flight Standards District Office, Fargo, North Dakota. No abnormal conditions were found during the examination. The temperature and dew point at the time of the accident were 73/53. These values are in the temperature range conducive to carburetor icing. The carburetor heat was in the OFF position. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4349S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4349S-2013-09-10), registration cancelled 2013-09-10, S/N 3010029 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR AT301 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-301) (registry code 0390103) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 301-0029 - Airframe hours: 4193 - Engines: P&W R-1340-S3H1G 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Richard W. Ring - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 4, 1994, 147 hours before - Departed: NONE, EDMORE, ND - Destination: NONE, ND ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 875 total, 260 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: GFK, 40 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 19940629047719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940629047719A), Jun 29, 1994: Airtrc AT301, Lawton, ND, Substantial damage. Lost power beginning spray run. Landed on road. Struck rock pile. No engine defects. Conditions ripe for carb ice. ## Other investigations on N4349S (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 MKC76DCQ59](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC76DCQ59), Jun 10, 1976: Air Tractor AT-301 (N4349S), Subletta, KS, substantial damage 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.