# NTSB DFW08CA086: Air Tractor At-301, N4427S, Plains, KS, March 26, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 26, 2008, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Plains, KS - Coordinates: 37.256111, -100.588607 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2561&lon=-100.5886&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Kansas City, Kansas - NTSB case key (mKey): 67722 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08CA086 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67722/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA086 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power as a result of a blocked carburetor. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 181 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The commercial pilot was repositioning a single-engine agricultural airplane to a private grass strip when the engine lost power while on final approach. The pilot was unable to maintain his altitude so he made a forced landing to the only suitable field available. However, during the roll out he applied the brakes to avoid colliding with a large sprinkler apparatus and flipped over. As a result the vertical stabilizer and the rudder were substantially damaged. Further examination of the radial engine by the operator revealed that the flexible intake hose had come loose and was ingested into the carburetor blocking the throat of the carburetor. ## Factual narrative The commercial pilot was repositioning a single-engine agricultural airplane to a private grass strip when the engine lost power while on final approach. The pilot was unable to maintain his altitude so he made a forced landing to the only suitable field available. However, during the roll out he applied the brakes to avoid colliding with a large sprinkler apparatus and flipped over. As a result the vertical stabilizer and the rudder were substantially damage. Further examination of the radial engine by the operator revealed that the flexible intake hose had come loose and was ingested into the carburetor blocking the throat of the carburetor. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4427S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4427S-2018-01-04), registration cancelled 2018-01-04, S/N 301-0087, built 1977 (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: 301-0087 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R1340 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Registered owner: Shannon L. Dickson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Departed: NONE, Lakin, KS - Destination: NONE, Plains, KS - Airport: NONE, Private ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; flight hours: 490 total, 158 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20080326831429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080326831429A), Mar 26, 2008: Airtrc AT301, Plains, KS, Substantial damage. (-23) On March 26, 2008, at approximately 12:15 pm central standard time, an air tractor AT-301 aircraft, N4427S, piloted by a commercial pilot, was on final… 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.