# NTSB FTW04LA091: Air Tractor AT-301, N4359S, Plain Dealing, LA, March 13, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 13, 2004, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Plain Dealing, LA - Coordinates: 32.902032, -93.702622 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9020&lon=-93.7026&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 June 30, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 58888 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW04LA091 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58888/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA091 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to undetermined reasons. A contributing 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, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The 8,500-hour pilot, initiated his climb after takeoff and the R-1340 radial engine "coughed" and lost power. The pilot stated that the engine regained power but it "was not enough to gain any altitude." Subsequently, the airplane impacted terrain and came to rest upright and a post-impact fire ensued. The reason for the loss of power was not determined. ## Factual narrative On March 13, 2004, at 1000 central standard time, an Air Tractor AT-301 agricultural single-engine airplane, N4359S, registered to and operated by Arkana Agricultural Flying Services, Inc., of Bradley, Arkansas, was destroyed during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during takeoff initial climb from a private airstrip near Plain Dealing, 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 local flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to information provided by the pilot, during the initial climb after takeoff, the R-1340 radial engine "coughed" and lost power. The pilot stated that the engine regained power but it "was not enough to gain any altitude." Subsequently, the airplane impacted terrain and came to rest upright where a post-impact fire ensued. At 0953, the automated surface observing station at the Monicello Municipal Airport (LLQ), near Monticello, Arkansas, located approximately 15 miles to the east of the accident site, reported the wind from 110 degrees at 5 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, clear sky, temperature 57 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 28 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 30.31 inches of Mercury. According to FAA airman medical records, the pilot's most recent medical examination was conducted on August 6, 2003. As of the date of the medical, the pilot reported 8,500 total flight hours. The owner of the airplane has not responded to several attempts by the investigator-in-charge to obtain a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4359S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4359S-2018-01-19), registration cancelled 2018-01-19, S/N 301-0039, built 1976 (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: 3010039 - Airframe hours: 7500 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Arkana Agricultural Flying Service Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 18, 2003 - Departed: PVT, Plain Dealing, LA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: none; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review February 15, 2004; seat: center; flight hours: 8,500 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.30 inHg - Observed at: LLQ ## 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 20040313010959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040313010959A), Mar 13, 2004: Airtrc AT301, Dealing, LA, Destroyed. (-23) During take off the aircraft lost power for a moment and then started to regain power. The aircraft's altitude was insufficient to compensate for the… ## Other investigations on N4359S (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 FTW82DA202](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA202), May 29, 1982: Air Tractor AT 301 (N4359S), New Deal, TX, destroyed 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.