# NTSB FTW92DPA01: Air Tractor AT-301, N3167Y, Dekalb, TX, July 26, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: July 26, 1992, 12:35 local (17:35 UTC)
- Place: Dekalb, TX
- Coordinates: 33.499332, -94.609306 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4993&lon=-94.6093&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23404
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92DPA01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23404/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92DPA01

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - aerial application
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING THE INITIAL RIGHT CLIMBING TURN AFTER TAKEOFF FROM A PRIVATE GRASS STRIP, THE PILOT NOTICED AN ENGINE RPM DROP OF APPROXIMATELY 100. THE DROP DID NOT OCCUR DURING CRUISE. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE MADE ONE SPRAY PASS AND DURING THE TURNING MANEUVER THE AIRPLANE WOULD NOT MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AND THE ENGINE DID NOT PRODUCE FULL POWER. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED TREES AND TERRAIN. POST CRASH FIRE DESTROYED THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3167Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3167Y-1992-12-15), registration cancelled 1992-12-15, S/N 3010559 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 301-0559
- Airframe hours: 3173
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Tedder Aviation Corporation
- Registered owner: Tedder Aviation Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 4, 1992, 402 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 6,000 total, 350 in this make and model, 5,500 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °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 19920726027889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920726027889A), Jul 26, 1992: Airtrc AT301, Dekalb, TX, Destroyed. Collided with trees on a spray run turn around. Crashed and burned. Reported unable to stop sink rate into trees.

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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