# NTSB CHI95LA198: Air Tractor AT-301, N23477, Hoxie, KS, June 11, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 11, 1995, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Hoxie, KS - Coordinates: 39.349437, -100.430564 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3494&lon=-100.4306&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 19, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9925 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA198 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9925/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA198 ## Probable cause the loss of engine power due to the loose nut on the adjustment screw and the jammed exhaust valve on the number three cylinder. A factor in the accident was the ditch. ## 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, cruise - engine assembly,cylinder - loose part/bolt/nut/clamp/etc (cause) - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - jammed (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) - Nose over, emergency descent/landing ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS EN ROUTE FOR AN AERIAL APPLICATION OPERATION WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER APPROXIMATELY FOUR MILES AFTER DEPARTURE. HE STATED THERE WERE NO ABNORMAL INDICATIONS ON ANY OF THE ENGINE INSTRUMENTS OR THROTTLE QUADRANT. THE ENGINE THEN LOST ALL POWER AND THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING ON A ROAD. WHILE LANDING, THE AIRPLANE'S LANDING GEAR STRUCK A DITCH AND THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST IN AN INVERTED POSITION. POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED THE NUT (P/N 9294) ON THE ADJUSTING SCREW FOR THE NUMBER THREE CYLINDER WAS LOOSE. DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE CLEARANCE, THE EXHAUST VALVE WAS NOT ABLE TO OPEN. ## Factual narrative On June 11, 1995, at 0930 central daylight time (CDT), an Air Tractor AT-301, N23477, operated by Lemaster Aerial Spraying, Inc., Ottawa, Kansas, was substantially damaged following a loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing on a road in Hoxie, Kansas. The pilot reported no injuries. The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight originated from the Hoxie-Sheridan County Airport, Hoxie, Kansas, without a flight plan at 0915 CDT. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident. The pilot reported he was en route for an aerial application operation. Approximately four miles after departure, the pilot stated the engine began to sputter. He stated there was no abnormal indications on any of the engine instruments or throttle quadrant. The engine then lost all power and the pilot made a forced landing on a small road. While landing the airplane's landing gear struck a ditch and the airplane came to rest inverted. Postaccident examination revealed the nut (P/N 9294) on the adjusting screw for the number three cylinder was loose. Due to the excessive clearance, the exhaust valve was not able to open. The airplane logbook shows the last inspection was a 100 hour inspection performed on December 5, 1994. The airplane has logged 188.5 hours since the inspection. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N23477](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23477-2025-12-06), registration cancelled 2025-12-06, S/N 301-0390, built 1981 (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: 301-0390 - Airframe hours: 3355 - Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Lemaster Aerial Spraying Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 5, 1995, 188 hours before - Departed: KS01 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 5,630 total, 700 in this make and model, 5,452 as pilot in command, 225 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 6 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19950611020479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950611020479A), Jun 11, 1995: Airtrc AT301, Hoxie, KS, Substantial damage. Lost power en route to spray sight. Struck a ditch landing. Nosed over loose cylinder adjusting screw. Valve stuck. 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.