# NTSB FTW94LA306: Air Tractor AT-401, N4549N, Mcgehee, AR, September 20, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 20, 1994, 08:45 local (13:45 UTC)
- Place: Mcgehee, AR
- Location: 33.6278° N, 91.3950° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of McGehee, AR, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6278&lon=-91.3950&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 4, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19167
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA306
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19167/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA306

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO UNDETERMINED REASONS. 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, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

DURING A SWATH RUN, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT LANDED IN A NEARBY FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE AIRCRAFT'S MAIN LANDING GEAR SANK INTO THE SOFT EARTH, NOSED OVER AND CAME TO REST INVERTED. THE SPARS OF BOTH WINGS WERE BENT AND THE TAIL WAS DAMAGED. THE EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE BY AN FAA INSPECTOR DID NOT REVEAL ANY ANOMALIES.

## Factual narrative

On September 20, 1994, at 0845 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-401, N4549N, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near McGehee, Arkansas.  The commercial pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight.

The pilot reported the following information to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector.  During a swath run, the engine lost power.  He made a turn to an adjacent field to land.  As he landed, the landing gear sank into the soft earth and nosed over, and came to rest inverted.

An examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed that the spars of both wings were bent and the empennage section sustained structural damage.  The examination of the engine failed to reveal any anomalies.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4549N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4549N-2005-05-06), registration cancelled 2005-05-06, S/N 401-0799, built 1991 (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)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Four W Flying Service Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 1,350 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBF, 48 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 19940920029149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940920029149A), Sep 20, 1994: Airtrc AT401, Mcgehee, AR, Substantial damage. Lost power on swath run. Nosed over landing soft ground. Bent wing spars. No anomalies found.

## Other investigations on N4549N (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 MIA03LA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03LA094), Apr 8, 2003: Air Tractor AT- 401 (N4549N), Fellsmere, FL, destroyed. Probable cause: The poor in-flight planning by the pilot-in-command for his overhsooting the pull-up following a spray pass resulting in the in-flight collision with trees then terrain. Contributing to the accident…

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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