# NTSB FTW02LA030: Air Tractor AT-301, N2316X, Anton, TX, November 7, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 7, 2001, 08:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Anton, TX - Coordinates: 33.809688, -102.160331 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8097&lon=-102.1603&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 2, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 53732 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW02LA030 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53732/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA030 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power while maneuvering due to a cracked cylinder, which resulted in a forced landing. A factor was 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, maneuvering - aerial application - engine assembly,cylinder - cracked (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot had been applying chemical to a field for 20 minutes when the engine began to slowly lose power. The pilot abandoned the spray flight and initiated a return flight to the base airport. While en route back to the airport, the engine lost total power, and the pilot executed a forced landing to a field. During the landing roll, the airplane contacted a dirt terrace and nosed over, coming to rest inverted. Post accident examination of the engine revealed that the #5 cylinder displayed a crack that initiated at one spark plug, continued over the cylinder head, and ended at the second spark plug. The crack went through the entire thickness of the cylinder's casting. ## Factual narrative On November 7, 2001, at 0800 central standard time, an Air Tractor AT-301 agricultural airplane, N2316X, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power while maneuvering near Anton, Texas. The airplane was registered to Pest Elimination Systems Inc., of Littlefield, Texas, and operated by Brown Flying Service of Littlefield, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, 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 local flight originated from the Littlefield Municipal Airport, Littlefield, Texas, at 0710. According to the pilot, he was applying malathion to a field. After spraying for 20 minutes, the engine "slowly started to lose power." The pilot abandoned the spray operation and initiated a return flight to the base airport in Littlefield. However, during the return flight, the engine lost total power, and he executed a forced landing to a field. During the landing roll, the airplane contacted a dirt terrace, the left main landing gear wheel separated, and the airplane nosed over, coming to rest inverted. The FAA inspector, who examined the airplane at the accident site, reported that the right wing, including the wing's spar, was structurally damaged, and the canopy was flattened. The Pratt & Whitney R-1340 engine was transported to Younkin Aviation, Inc., Fayetteville, Arkansas, for examination and overhaul. A mechanic reported that the #5 cylinder displayed a crack that initiated at one spark plug, continued over the cylinder head, and ended at the second spark plug. The crack went through the entire thickness of the cylinder's casting. He reported that the #6 cylinder displayed a crack in the casting that measured between 1 and 2 inches in length. The mechanic did not note any other anomalies. A review of the powerplant logbook revealed that on February 20, 2001, the engine underwent its last 100-hour inspection. The logbook entry stated that the compression on each of the cylinders was "above 70/80." According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), at the time of the accident the engine had accumulated 257.0 hours since the 100-hour inspection, and 709.0 hours since its last overhaul. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2316X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2316X-2006-05-01), registration cancelled 2006-05-01, S/N 301-0380 (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: 301-0380 - Airframe hours: 5131 - Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Brown Flying Service, Inc., doing business as N/A - Registered owner: Pest Elimination Systems, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 20, 2001, 257 hours before - Departed: Q00, Littlefield, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review May 30, 2000; seat: front; flight hours: 2,686 total, 400 in this make and model, 2,594 as pilot in command, 296 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: LBB, 19 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 20011107030899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011107030899A), Nov 7, 2001: Airtrc AT301, Anton, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On November 7, 2001, at approximately 0800 CST (1400 UTC) local time, the pilot of an agricultural air tractor AT-301 aircraft, N2316X, experienced… ## Other investigations on N2316X (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 FTW97LA317](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA317), Aug 17, 1997: Air Tractor AT-301 (N2316X), Vernon, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: failure of the pilot to maintain clearance from an irrigation pipe. Factors relating to the accident were: the poor light condition at dusk, the object (vertical piece of irragation pipe), loss of… 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.