# NTSB FTW96LA148: Air Tractor AT-502, N4540C, Texarkana, AR, March 15, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 15, 1996, 09:50 local (15:50 UTC) - Place: Texarkana, AR - Location: 33.4418° N, 94.0377° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Texarkana, AR, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4418&lon=-94.0377&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 9, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19784 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA148 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19784/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA148 ## Probable cause a 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, maneuvering - aerial application - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - fuel system,filter - contamination,other than water - Forced landing, emergency landing - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis During an application run the engine lost power. The pilot reported that there was 'not enough field left to land' and that the aircraft could not make it over the trees at the end of the field. The aircraft impacted the trees and came to a stop in a small field. Examination of the fuel system revealed a foreign substance in the main fuel filter. The fuel tank sump drain was leaking fuel and fuel was found in all fuel lines and the fuel control. A postaccident examination and teardown of the engine was completed on 4/4/96, and no anomalies were found that would prevent normal engine operation. ## Factual narrative On March 15, 1996, at 0950 central standard time, an Air Tractor AT-502, N4540C, operated by Garland Aviation, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Texarkana, Arkansas. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. In an interview with the Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the pilot reported that the engine lost power during an application run. He further reported that there was "not enough field left to land" and that the aircraft could not make it over the trees at the end of the field. The aircraft impacted the trees and came to a stop in a small field. Examination of the aircraft by the FAA inspector revealed that the left wing was structurally damaged and the right wing was separated from the fuselage. Examination of the fuel system revealed a foreign substance in the main fuel filter. The fuel tank sump drain was leaking fuel and fuel was found in all fuel lines and the fuel control. A post accident examination and teardown of the engine was completed on April 4, 1996. No anomalies were found that would prevent normal engine operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4540C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4540C-2022-11-21), registration cancelled 2022-11-21, S/N 502-0119 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-502 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-502](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-502) (registry code 0390303) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 502-0119 - Airframe hours: 2850 - Engines: P&W PT6A-15AG 680 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Ronny J. Rogers - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1995, 80 hours before - Departed: HOMAN, AR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 13,500 total, 450 in this make and model, 13,500 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 2 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 63 °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 19960315004319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960315004319A), Mar 15, 1996: Airtrc AT502, Texarkana, AR, Destroyed. Power failure, not enough field to land. Couldn't make it over trees at end. Opted for safest spot in trees. (-23) on March 15, 1996, at 0950 CST, an air… ## Other investigations on N4540C (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 CEN21LA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA110), Jan 9, 2021: Air Tractor AT-502 (N4540C), Cushing, OK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s decision to takeoff from unsuitable terrain which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with terrain. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.