# NTSB FTW87DPJ06: Air Tractor AT301, N3655G, El Dorado, OK, March 22, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: March 22, 1987, 09:55 local (15:55 UTC)
- Place: El Dorado, OK
- Coordinates: 34.639728, -99.309898 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6397&lon=-99.3099&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22178
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87DPJ06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22178/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87DPJ06

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - roll/run
  - carburetor heat control - improper (cause)
  - maintenance,modification - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - abort - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - load jettison - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING TAKEOFF FROM A COUNTY ROAD, BLACK SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE EXHAUST. THE AIRCRAFT THEN COLLIDED WITH A TREE AND A POST CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE CARBURETOR HEAT SYSTEM HAD BEEN MODIFIED AND THE CARBURETOR FLAPPER VALVE WAS STUCK IN THE CLOSED POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3655G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3655G-2018-06-26), registration cancelled 2018-06-26, S/N 301-0292 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 292
- Engines: P&W R985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Jackson County Spray Co.
- Registered owner: Jackson County Spraying Svc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 1987, 35 hours before
- Departed: EL DORADO, OK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 2,700 total, 290 in this make and model, 190 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19870322007129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870322007129A), Mar 22, 1987: Airtrc AT301, El Dorado, OK, Substantial damage. Collided with a tree while attempting a takeoff from a country road. Engine malfunction. Carburetor valve stuck.

## Other investigations on N3655G (2)

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 CEN13LA472](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA472), Aug 4, 2013: Air Tractor AT-301 (N3655G), Simmesport, LA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain proper airplane pitch control while maneuvering at an altitude that was too low for recovery.
- [NTSB MIA93LA179](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA93LA179), Aug 20, 1993: Air Tractor AT-301 (N3655G), Rome, MS, substantial damage. Probable cause: LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO USE ALL AVAILABLE RUNWAY FOR TAKEOFF.

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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