# NTSB FTW84LA143: Air Tractor AT-400A, N3159C, Monroe, LA, February 21, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 21, 1984, 14:34 local (20:34 UTC)
- Place: Monroe, LA
- Coordinates: 32.530372, -92.110389 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5304&lon=-92.1104&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21265
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA143
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21265/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA143

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT SUFFERED A LOSS OF POWER WHILE RETURNING FROM AN AG FLIGHT AND MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A DITCH NEXT TOA RICE FIELD. THE ENGINE WAS TEST RUN WITH NO DISCREPANCIES NOTED. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE LOSS OF POWER WAS DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3159C (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-400A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 400A0463
- Airframe hours: 550
- Engines: P&W PT6-20 550 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bruce E. Brooks
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1984, 25 hours before
- Departed: MONROE, LA
- Destination: MONROE, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 7,000 total, 550 in this make and model, 7,000 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLV, 7 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 19840221003699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840221003699A), Feb 21, 1984: Airtrc AT400A, Monroe, LA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel returning from ag activities. Crash landed in a farm field.

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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