# NTSB FTW95LA241: Air Tractor AT-401, N15111, Denver City, TX, June 13, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 13, 1995, 08:40 local (13:40 UTC)
- Place: Denver City, TX
- Coordinates: 32.960044, -102.829315 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9600&lon=-102.8293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 19, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19451
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA241
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19451/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA241

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO A FRACTURE OF THE #3 CYLINDER RESULTING IN THE TOTAL FAILURE OF THE CYLINDER. 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(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - aerial application
  - engine assembly,cylinder - fractured (cause)
  - engine assembly,cylinder - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment

## Analysis

DURING A COURSE REVERSAL MANEUVER, THE AGRICULTURAL AIRPLANE LOST ENGINE POWER AND EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING TO A FIELD. DURING THE FORCED LANDING, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A DIRT BANK, COMING TO REST APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET FROM THE INITIAL POINT OF IMPACT. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED A FRACTURE/FAILURE OF THE #3 CYLINDER. THE AIRPLANE WAS DESTROYED BY A POSTIMPACT FIRE.

## Factual narrative

On June 13, 1995, at 0840 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-401, N15111, was destroyed during a forced landing after a loss of engine power while maneuvering near Denver City, Texas.  The commercial pilot was not injured.  The airplane, owned and operated by the pilot, was being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 137 when the accident occurred.  The aerial application flight departed a private agricultural airstrip at 0830 to apply pesticides to a nearby field.  A flight plan was not filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

The pilot reported that the engine lost power during a course reversal maneuver.  He further reported that he then proceeded toward a nearby landing strip, but did not have sufficient "altitude and airspeed to make it."  During the ensuing forced landing, the airplane collided with a dirt bank, coming to rest approximately 100 feet from the initial point of impact.  Examination of the engine revealed a fracture/failure of the #3 cylinder.  A postimpact fire destroyed the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15111](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15111-1997-01-14), registration cancelled 1997-01-14, S/N 4010830 (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: 830
- Airframe hours: 1090
- Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Raymond E. Marion
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 5, 1995, 36 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 4,451 total, 1,588 in this make and model, 4,400 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19950613048339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950613048339A), Jun 13, 1995: Airtrc AT401, Denver City, TX, Destroyed. Investigation revealed that the exhaust boss on the #3 cylinder had cracked and failed causing the engine to quit.

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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