# NTSB FTW87DRD13: Air Tractor AT-400A, N3159C, Monroe, LA, August 19, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 19, 1987, 08:21 local (13:21 UTC)
- Place: Monroe, LA
- Coordinates: 32.499225, -92.339202 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4992&lon=-92.3392&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22207
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87DRD13
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22207/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87DRD13

## 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, maneuvering - aerial application
  - compressor assembly,blade - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AG PILOT PULLED UP FROM A SWATH RUN WHILE SPRAYING CHEMICALS ON COTTON AND THE PT 6A-20A ENGINE IN HIS AIRCRAFT EXPLODED. A POST ACCIDENT TEARDOWN OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THE BLADES OF A COMPRESSOR DISK HAD FAILED CAUSING A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. REASON FOR FAILURE OF THE BLADES WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE COTTON FIELD WAS LOCATED ON THE PROPERTY OF THE REGIONAL AIRPORT AT MONROE, LA, HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT IN A POSITION TO REACH A RUNWAY FOR LANDING AND AIRSPEED WAS NOT MAINTAINED. THIS RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3159C (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-400A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 400A-0463
- Airframe hours: 2700
- Engines: P&W PT6A-20A 550 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Brooks Flying Serv. Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: 5F7, MONROE, LA
- Airport: MLU, Monroe Reg.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 6,500 total, 3,000 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19870819045939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870819045939A), Aug 19, 1987: Airtrc AT400A, Monroe, LA, Substantial damage. The aircraft lost power during aerial application flight. The blades of the compressor turbine had failed.

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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