# NTSB FTW00LA074: Air Tractor AT-401, N91968, Rayville, LA, January 25, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 25, 2000, 10:20 local (16:20 UTC) - Place: Rayville, LA - Coordinates: 32.470825, -91.75045 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4708&lon=-91.7505&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 April 6, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49432 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA074 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49432/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA074 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to a crack in the #6 cylinder. A factor was 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). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb - engine assembly,cylinder - cracked (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - plowed/furrowed ## Analysis The airplane's engine was started and allowed to operate for 45 minutes due to the cold weather (temperature 36 degrees F). The pilot taxied the airplane out to the taxiway and performed engine run-up and magneto checks. All checks were 'okay,' and the airplane was taxied to the loading area where 325 gallons of chemical were loaded. The pilot taxied the airplane to the runway and performed another engine run-up. The magneto check was 'okay,' and the oil temperature was in the green. The pilot stated that he started the takeoff roll by 'power[ing] up' to 36 inches manifold pressure and 2,250 rpm. After liftoff from the runway, during a turn, at about 150 feet agl, the engine lost power. The pilot dumped the load of chemical and initiated a forced landing to a 'fresh rowed cotton field.' The airplane touched down perpendicular to the rows, and during the landing roll, the main landing gear 'sunk' into the soft ground, and the aircraft nosed over coming to rest inverted. An examination of the aircraft's engine by an FAA inspector revealed that 'the #6 cylinder had a preexisting crack.' ## Factual narrative On January 25, 2000, at 1020 central standard time, an Air Tractor AT-401 agricultural airplane, N91968, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power on takeoff from the John H. Hooks Memorial Airport near Rayville, Louisiana. The aircraft was registered to and operated by Bulldog Flying Service, Inc., of Oak Ridge, Louisiana. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the aircraft, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot, this was the airplane's first flight of the day. The airplane's engine was started and allowed to operate for 45 minutes due to the cold weather (temperature 36 degrees F). The pilot taxied the airplane out to the taxiway and performed engine run-up and magneto checks. All checks were "okay," and the airplane was taxied to the loading area where 325 gallons of 24D chemical were loaded. The pilot taxied the airplane to the runway and performed another engine run-up. The magneto check was "okay," and the oil temperature was in the green. The pilot stated that he started the takeoff roll by "power[ing] up" to 36 inches manifold pressure and 2,250 rpm. After liftoff from runway 36, during a turn, at about 150 feet agl, the engine lost power. The pilot dumped the load of chemical and initiated a forced landing to a "fresh rowed cotton field." The airplane touched down perpendicular to the rows, and during the landing roll, the main landing gear "sunk" into the soft ground, and the aircraft nosed over coming to rest inverted. Examination of the aircraft by an FAA inspector revealed that the vertical stabilizer was partially separated, and the fuselage was damaged in the cockpit area. An examination of the aircraft's engine by the inspector revealed that "the #6 cylinder had a preexisting crack." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N91968](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N91968-2018-01-10), registration cancelled 2018-01-10, S/N 401-0942, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-401 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-401](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-401) (registry code 0390204) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 401-0942 - Airframe hours: 3517 - Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Bulldog Flying Service, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 25, 1999, 100 hours before - Departed: M79 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 6,317 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 6,256 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 36 °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 20000125043979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000125043979A), Jan 25, 2000: Airtrc AT401, Rayville, LA, Substantial damage. (-23) On January 25, 2000, at approximately 1055 local time (CST) an agricultural aircraft, an air tractor AT-401, N91968, registered to and operated by… ## Other investigations on N91968 (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 CEN14LA450](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA450), Aug 24, 2014: Air Tractor AT-401 (N91968), Natchez, LA, destroyed. Probable cause: The loss of power due to the failure of the No. 2 exhaust valve and rocker boss during takeoff. 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.