# NTSB FTW90DPG12: Air Tractor AT-401, N7318C, Jacksonville, AR, August 27, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 27, 1990, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Jacksonville, AR
- Coordinates: 34.860012, -92.119514 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8600&lon=-92.1195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22945
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90DPG12
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22945/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90DPG12

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO UNKNOWN CAUSES. A FACTOR WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A DAY TAKEOFF WITH A FULL TANK OF CHEMICALS THE PILOT REPORTED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE AIRPLANE COULD NOT CONTINUE ITS INITIAL CLIMB SO THE PILOT DECIDED TO LAND STRAIGHT AHEAD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE AIRPLANE LANDING GEAR SANK INTO THE CULTIVATED FIELD AND NOSED OVER TO THE INVERTED POSITION. NO ANOMALIES COULD BE FOUND WITH THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE WAS SUCCESSFULLY TEST RUN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7318C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7318C-2009-06-10), registration cancelled 2009-06-10, S/N 401-0680 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-401
- Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-401](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-401) (registry code 0390204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 401-0680
- Airframe hours: 1575
- Engines: P&W R1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Bernie C. Parker, doing business as Parker Aviation Inc.
- Registered owner: Parker Aviation Ser., Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 1990, 453 hours before
- Departed: NONE

## 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: 5,156 total, 316 in this make and model, 5,156 as pilot in command, 381 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TXK, 126 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 19900827036489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900827036489A), Aug 27, 1990: Airtrc AT401, Jacksonville, AR, Substantial damage. Reported partial power loss on takeoff. Mushed in crop and nosed over. Engine ran normal on test. High temperature.

## Other investigations on N7318C (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 DFW06CA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06CA149), Jun 1, 2006: Air Tractor AT-401 (N7318C), Garden City, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper in-flight planning resulting in the loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

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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