# NTSB FTW90DPG08: Air Tractor AT-301, N4433S, Corning, AR, August 14, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: August 14, 1990, 11:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Corning, AR
- Coordinates: 36.409309, -90.579452 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4093&lon=-90.5795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22941
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90DPG08
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22941/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90DPG08

## Probable cause

BLOCKAGE OF THE CARBURETOR AIR INTAKE BY A COLLAPSED AIR INDUCTION HOSE DUE TO IMPROPER MAINTENANCE BY AN UNKNOWN PARTY.

## 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
  - fuel system,carburetor - blocked(total) (cause)
  - maintenance - improper, unknown (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A TOTAL POWER LOSS OCCURRED SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AND THE PILOT PERFORMED A FORCED LANDING IN A MUDDY RICE/BEAN FIELD. AFTER LANDING THE AIRPLANE BOUNCED ONCE AND NOSED OVER. FAA INSPECTORS FOUND THAT THE AIR INDUCTION HOSE WAS COLLAPSED AND THAT A 60 DEGREE ALUMINUM ELBOW WAS LOOSE FROM ITS CLAMPS, BLOCKING THE AIR ENTRANCE TO THE CARBURETOR. THE OPERATOR SUBSEQUENTLY TEST RUN THE ENGINE FINDING NO ADDITIONAL DISCREPANCIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4433S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4433S-2012-02-29), registration cancelled 2012-02-29, S/N 301-0093, built 1977 (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)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 301-0093
- Engines: P&W R1340-S3H1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Rex & Tommy Harmon, doing business as Harmon Bros Flying Service
- Registered owner: Mand W Flying Service Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 21, 1990, 144 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 13,000 total, 605 in this make and model, 160 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JBR, 40 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 19900814038289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900814038289A), Aug 14, 1990: Airtrc AT301, Corning, AR, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Engine air induction hose collapsed. Blocked air to carburetor.

## Other investigations on N4433S (1)

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 ATL81FLT04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL81FLT04), Feb 26, 1981: Air Tractor AT-301 (N4433S), Crenshaw, MS, substantial damage

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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