# NTSB DEN93LA084: Air Tractor AT-301, N3650U, Garner, AR, July 22, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 22, 1993, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Garner, AR - Location: 35.1421° N, 91.7789° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Garner, AR, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1421&lon=-91.7789&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 13, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 11097 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN93LA084 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11097/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN93LA084 ## Probable cause TOTAL FAILURE OF ONE PROPELLER BLADE. FACTORS WERE THE CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE ENGINE DURING THE FORCED LANDING, DESPITE THE PILOT'S EFFORTS TO SHUT IT DOWN, AND THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering - aerial application - propeller system/accessories,blade - failure,total (cause) - propeller system/accessories,blade - separation - engine assembly - vibration - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, approach - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - powerplant - not secured (contributing factor) - throttle/power control - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE PILOT HAD COMPLETED AN AERIAL APPLICATION SPRAY RUN OVER A CULTIVATED FIELD WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD 'BANG' FOLLOWED BY SEVERE ENGINE VIBRATION. DURING THE SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING, THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO SECURE THE ENGINE AND THEREFORE, COULD NOT DECELERATE. THE AIRPLANE FLEW INTO TREES ABOUT 20 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL PRIOR TO GROUND IMPACT. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION DISCLOSED A 20-INCH SECTION OF ONE OF THE PROPELLER BLADES HAD SEPARATED IN FLIGHT. ## Factual narrative On July 22, 1993, at approximately 1200 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT 301, N3650U, was substantially damaged when it struck trees during a forced landing near Garner, Arkansas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight. During an interview conducted by a Federal Aviation Inspector and in a written statement, the pilot reported that he heard a loud bang, followed by severe engine vibrations. He further reported that he just completed an aerial application pass over a cultivated field. During the subsequent forced landing, the pilot attempted to shut down the engine but it continued to run. He related that he was unable to slow down enough to land and flew into the trees at about 20 feet above ground level, prior to ground impact. Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed that a 20 inch section of one of the propeller blades had separated in flight for undetermined reasons. A review of the airplane's maintenance records revealed that the engine received a major overhaul on January 31, 1990. The engine and Hamilton Standard propeller (s/n 2176) was installed on N3650U on February 23. The records did not indicate the overhaul date or total time on the propeller. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3650U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3650U-1996-09-05), registration cancelled 1996-09-05, S/N 3010252 (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: 301-0252 - Engines: P&W R-1340-AN-1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: Unknown - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Mcconnaughay, Kenneth W. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Limited (Special) ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 5,936 total, 480 in this make and model, 5,835 as pilot in command, 400 in the last 90 days, 125 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 3 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 77 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LIT, 39 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 19930722025279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930722025279A), Jul 22, 1993: Airtrc AT301, Garner, AR, Substantial damage. Loud bang engine vibration. Unable to secure engine. Flew into trees. 20INCH section prop blade had separated. 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.