# NTSB DEN82DTI13: Air Tractor AT-301, N4403S, Ruyard, MT, June 2, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: June 2, 1982, 06:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place: Ruyard, MT
- Coordinates: 48.600833, -110.559265 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.6008&lon=-110.5593&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 2, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72439
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82DTI13
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72439/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DTI13

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS REFUELED PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE TAKEOFF WAS NORMAL UNTIL ABOUT 75 FT OFF THE RUNWAY WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT. DURING A FORCED LANDING, THE PLANE TOUCHED DOWN IN A 3-POINT ATTITUDE, BOUNCED, AND THEN HIT THE GROUND IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE AND WENT OVER ON ITS BACK. THE PILOT ATTRIBUTED THE ENGINE STOPPAGE TO WATER IN THE FUEL SUPPLY. HE STATED THAT HE HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH WATER IN HIS FUEL STORAGE FACILITY DUE TO HEAVY RAINS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4403S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4403S), registered now, S/N 301-0063 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 301-0063
- Airframe hours: 1103
- Engines: P & W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Ag Air, Inc.
- Registered owner: Ag Air, Inc.
- Departed: RUYARD, MT
- Destination: RUYARD, MT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 7,000 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 7,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 122 °F

## 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 19820602020299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820602020299A), Jun 2, 1982: Airtrc AT301, Rudyard, MT, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing atttemp engine quit due to water in fuel.

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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