# NTSB FTW95LA256: Air Tractor AT-401, N4537L, Hearne, TX, June 21, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 21, 1995, 11:25 local (16:25 UTC)
- Place: Hearne, TX
- Coordinates: 30.870674, -96.589096 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.8707&lon=-96.5891&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 August 31, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19466
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA256
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19466/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA256

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AS RESULT OF THE FAILURE OF THE NUMBER TWO CYLINDER. FACTORS WERE THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN AVAILABLE FOR THE FORCED LANDING AND THE PILOT'S RESTRICTED VISION DUE TO OIL ON THE WINDSHIELD.

## 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
  - engine assembly,cylinder - failure (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff
- Hard landing, emergency landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - flare - delayed, pilot in command
  - visual/aural detection, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ENGINE LOST POWER DURING THE INITIAL TAKEOFF CLIMB FROM AN AGRICULTURAL AIRSTRIP. THE PILOT'S VISION WAS RESTRICTED BY THE OIL COVERING THE WINDSHIELD. ACCORDING TO THE OPERATOR, DURING THE FORCED LANDING TO A COTTON FIELD, THE AIRPLANE LANDED HARD AND CONTROL WAS LOST. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE BY THE OPERATOR REVEALED THAT THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WAS THE RESULT OF THE FAILURE OF THE NUMBER TWO CYLINDER.

## Factual narrative

On June 21, 1995, at 1125 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-401, N4537L, was destroyed during a forced landing near Hearne, Texas.  The commercial pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight.

According to the operator, the engine lost power during initial takeoff climb while departing an agricultural airstrip with a load of pesticides.  He added that the pilot's windshield was covered with engine oil restricting the pilot's vision.  He further stated that the airplane landed hard in a cotton field, followed by a loss of control.

Post accident examination of the engine by the operator revealed that the loss of engine power was due to the failure of the number two cylinder.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4537L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4537L-1999-03-15), registration cancelled 1999-03-15, S/N 401-0781 (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: 401-0781
- Airframe hours: 2658
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Sam Corpora
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 12, 1995, 42 hours before
- Departed: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 8,800 total, 639 in this make and model, 8,800 as pilot in command, 107 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLL, 30 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 19950621048809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950621048809A), Jun 21, 1995: Airtrc AT401, Hearne, TX, Destroyed. (-16) Crankshaft broke subsequent engine failure/aircraft too low to safely manuever.

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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