# NTSB FTW86LRD06: Air Tractor AT301, N5218S, Gilbert, LA, January 29, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: January 29, 1986, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Gilbert, LA
- Coordinates: 32.050418, -91.649368 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0504&lon=-91.6494&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22132
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86LRD06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22132/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LRD06

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, standing - starting engine(s)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

ON JANUARY 29, 1986, AN AIRTRACTOR AT310, N5218S, OWNED BY HALCOM FLYING SERVICE, WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DUE TO A FIRE WHICH OCCURRED DURING AN ATTEMPTED ENGINE START. N5218S WAS TO BE FLOWN TO ANOTHER LOCATION FOR MAINTENANCE PURPOSES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5218S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5218S-2013-04-02), registration cancelled 2013-04-02, S/N 301-0124, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT301
- 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: 3010124
- Airframe hours: 1900
- Engines: P&W 1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: S. L. Holcomb
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 28, 1985, 60 hours before
- Airport: Hokomb'S Flying Service, runway 36, 4,000 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 4,800 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 4,600 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 71 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 36 °F

## 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 19860129002769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860129002769A), Jan 29, 1986: Airtrc AT301, Gilbert, LA, Substantial damage. Engine backfire during starting procedure caused a fire. Crew unable to extinguish fire with equipment available.

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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