# NTSB FTW83LA166: Air Tractor AT-301, N3652A, Newellton, LA, March 24, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 24, 1983, 17:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Newellton, LA
- Coordinates: 32.070392, -91.229225 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0704&lon=-91.2292&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: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20847
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA166
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20847/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA166

## 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, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)

## Analysis

APRX 1 MINUTE AFTER TAKEOFF THE ACFT ENGINE FAILED. DURING THE FORCED LANDING, THE ACFT FLIPPED INVERTED DAMAGING ONE WING TIP AND THE VERTICAL STABALIZER. POST CRASH INSPECTION REVEALED A CRACK IN THE NUMBER 7 CYLINDER, FROM SPARK PLUG TO SPARK PLUG, WHICH APPEARS TO HAVE HELD THE INTAKE VALVE OPEN, RESULTING IN A POWER LOSS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3652A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3652A-1997-11-18), registration cancelled 1997-11-18, S/N 3010262 (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: 301-0262
- Airframe hours: 2176
- Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Kifer Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 21, 1982, 102 hours before
- Departed: AM2, NEWELLTON, AR
- Airport: 9M2, Newellton, runway 24, 2,750 × 75 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 10,504 total, 250 in this make and model, 10,200 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLU, 79 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 19830324010009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830324010009A), Mar 24, 1983: Airtrc AT301, Newellton, LA, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Nosed over on forced landing in a muddy field. #7 cylinder cracked. Hung up exhaust valve.

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.

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