# NTSB DEN08LA105: Air Tractor AT-301A, N3166H, Garwood, TX, June 19, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 19, 2008, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Garwood, TX
- Coordinates: 29.439443, -96.488334
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4394&lon=-96.4883&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 October 21, 2010
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68267
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN08LA105
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68267/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08LA105

## Probable cause

A loss of engine power due to the total failure of the number 2 cylinder.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng cyl section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 373 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md)
- [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: wall/barricade](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022027): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022027/cases.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022027/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-301, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, he was taking off from a private airstrip with a full load of fertilizer when he "lost the number 2 cylinder." Due to the loss of engine power, during the ensuing forced landing the pilot was unable to keep the airplane from striking a levy. Both main landing gears, hopper, gate box, fertilizer spreader, and tailwheel assembly were torn off. The left wing tip was bent, and the engine mount was broken. An examination of the airplane revealed a fractured number 2 cylinder head. Flight control continuity was confirmed. No other anomalies were found.

## Factual narrative

On June 19, 2008, approximately 1100 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301A, N3166H, registered to and operated by ANF Air Service, Inc., and piloted by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged when the it struck a levy and impacted terrain following a loss of power shortly after takeoff in Garwood, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The aerial application flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 without a flight plan. The pilot, the sole occupant aboard, was not injured. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot, he was taking off from a private airstrip with a full load of fertilizer when he "lost the number 2 cylinder." Due to the loss of engine power, during the ensuing forced landing the pilot was unable to keep the airplane from striking a levy. Both main landing gears, hopper, gate box, fertilizer spreader, and tailwheel assembly were torn off. The left wing tip was bent, and the engine mount was broken. An examination of the airplane revealed the broken number 2 cylinder head. Flight control continuity was confirmed. No other anomalies were found.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3166H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3166H-2022-04-02), registration cancelled 2022-04-02, S/N 301-0549, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR AT-301A
- 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: 301-0549
- Airframe hours: 8455
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-1340 AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: ANF Air Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 1, 2008, 62 hours before
- Departed: NONE, Garwood, TX
- Destination: NONE
- Airport: NONE, ANF Air Service, runway 18, 2,640 × 100 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2008; seat: single; flight hours: 28,141 total, 5,209 in this make and model, 27,801 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observed at: HOU, 44 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 20080619834719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080619834719A), Jun 19, 2008: Airtrc AT301, Garwood, TX, Destroyed. (-23) During takeoff, the pilot reported that the aircraft started to loose power and backfire. The pilot applied full power and the engine continued to loose…

## Other investigations on N3166H (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 FTW96LA371](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA371), Sep 3, 1996: Air Tractor AT-301 (N3166H), Meadow, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the transmission wire. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.

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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