# NTSB DFW08CA146: Air Tractor 401-0860, N15420, Mumford, TX, May 16, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 16, 2008, 17:51 local (22:51 UTC) - Place: Mumford, TX - Coordinates: 30.639444, -96.471389 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6394&lon=-96.4714&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 68035 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08CA146 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68035/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA146 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-401, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=0390204), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-401, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=0390204), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-401, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=0390204), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-401, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0390204), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The commercial pilot was spraying a field in his single-engine agricultural airplane when the radial engine's chip light detector illuminated followed by a rough running engine and subsequent loss of power. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude and made a forced landing to a narrow gravel road. As the plane touched down, the right wing contacted the tall rows of corn that lined the narrow road, which caused the airplane to ground loop and enter the corn field. Examination of the airplane revealed it sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, vertical stabilizer, and both wings. The loss of engine power was undetermined. ## Factual narrative The commercial pilot was spraying a field in his single-engine agricultural airplane when the radial engine's chip light detector illuminated followed by a rough running engine and subsequent loss of power. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude and made a forced landing to a narrow gravel road. As the plane touched down, the right wing contacted the tall rows of corn that lined the narrow road, which caused the airplane to ground loop and enter the corn field. Examination of the airplane revealed it sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, vertical stabilizer, and both wings. The loss of engine power was undetermined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N15420](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15420-2008-11-13), registration cancelled 2008-11-13, S/N 401-0860, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor 401-0860 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-401](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-401) (registry code 0390204) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN-1](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-1340-an-1) (registry code 51612, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 401-0860 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-1340 AN-1 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Hopson Putz Dusting, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Departed: NONE, Mumford, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; flight hours: 19,882 total, 5,200 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day 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.