# NTSB FTW03LA133: Air Tractor AT-402B, N6078W, Taft, TX, April 17, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 17, 2003, 12:10 local (17:10 UTC) - Place: Taft, TX - Coordinates: 28.039443, -97.542503 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0394&lon=-97.5425&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 November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56843 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW03LA133 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56843/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA133 ## Probable cause The partial loss of engine power resulting from a leaking fuel transfer tube following inadequate maintenance by unknown personnel. A contributing factor was the furrowed terrain encountered during the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - maintenance - inadequate, unknown (cause) - fuel system,line - leak (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - plowed/furrowed (contributing factor) ## Analysis During the takeoff/initial climb from the private airstrip, the engine "power reduced to 70 percent." The pilot turned into the wind for the forced landing; however, ended up landing perpendicular to the furrows in a cultivated field. Visual inspection of the engine by the FAA inspector revealed that the fuel transfer tube migrated out of the fuel adapter resulting in fuel leak and power loss, the "O" ring was protruding from the fuel adapter, and the lock plate at the #5 adapter was found bent and distorted. Fuel leakage at the fuel transfer tube was confirmed by running the engine and observing the leaking fuel. The engine did not develop power above 72 percent Ng. The fuel transfer tube was secured in its proper position, and the engine developed full power. A review of the maintenance records by the FAA inspector revealed that the nozzles had accumulated 111 hours time in service, and the maintenance entry for the last annual/100 hour inspection did not reveal any leaks or discrepancies. ## Factual narrative On April 17, 2003, approximately 1210 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-402B agricultural single-engine airplane, N6078W, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power during the takeoff/initial climb from an airstrip near Taft, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was owned and operated by Hunt's Ag Air, Inc., of Taft, Texas, under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed. The local aerial application flight originated from the operator's private airstrip approximately 3 minutes prior to the accident. The 3,817-hour pilot reported to the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, that approximately 3 minutes after departure he noticed the "power reduced to 70 percent." The pilot turned the airplane into the wind for the forced landing and dumped the chemical load. The airplane landed perpendicular to the furrows in the cultivated field striking the left main landing gear and left wing tip with the ground. Subsequently, the airplane rotated to the left, and the tail section struck the ground. The FAA inspector reported that both wing tips and both elevators were damaged. The upper and lower longerons, the left main landing gear, and the spray booms were bent. Visual inspection of the PT6A-34 engine by the FAA inspector revealed that the primary fuel transfer tube was not in its proper position, and the "O" ring was protruding outside of the adapter. Fuel leakage at the fuel transfer tube was confirmed by running the engine and observing the leaking fuel. The engine did not develop power above 72 percent Ng. The fuel transfer tube was secured in its proper position, and the engine developed full power. Further examination of the engine by the FAA inspector revealed that the fuel transfer tube lock plates at nozzle #4 and #8 were distorted. The secondary transfer tube between the #4 and #5 adapter was found resting on the shoulder of the tube rather than in the groove. A review of the maintenance records by the FAA inspector revealed that the nozzles had been installed since December 20, 2002, and had accumulated 111 hours time in service. The maintenance entry for the last annual/100 hour inspection on April 8, 2003, stated that an engine compartment cleaning, engine run, and inspection did not reveal any leaks or discrepancies. According to the manufacturer's representative, operating history of the engine did not reveal evidence of prior fuel leakage resulting from improper placement of the fuel transfer tubes, migration of the fuel transfer tubes out of the fuel adapter, or from bent or distorted lock plates. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6078W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6078W), registered now, S/N 402B-0972, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-402B - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-402B](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-402b) (registry code 0390208) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 402B-0972 - Airframe hours: 3701 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34 750 hp turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Hunt's Ag Air Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 9, 2003, 4 hours before - Departed: Taft, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review January 25, 2002; seat: center; flight hours: 3,871 total, 939 in this make and model, 3,781 as pilot in command, 154 in the last 90 days, 117 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 10 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: CRP, 15 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 20030417007029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030417007029A), Apr 17, 2003: Airtrc AT402B, Taft, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft lost power after takeoff. Engine went to uncommanded 70% power. Pilot dumped load, made emergency landing in cultivated field. Resulted in… 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.