# NTSB FTW96LA219: Air Tractor AT-301, N4424S, Griffithville, AR, May 18, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 18, 1996, 16:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Griffithville, AR - Coordinates: 35.119846, -91.640937 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1198&lon=-91.6409&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 23, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19844 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA219 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19844/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA219 ## Probable cause loss of engine oil (leak) for an undetermined reason, which resulted in oil starvation and a loss of engine power; and failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed during the emergency descent/landing phase, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent collision with the terrain. ## 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 - fluid,oil - leak (cause) - fluid,oil - starvation (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Loss of control - in flight, emergency descent/landing - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing ## Analysis During a personal interview, conducted by an FAA inspector, the pilot reported that the engine oil pressure began to fluctuate. Subsequently, 'oil pressure was lost' and the engine lost power. The pilot added that during a descending left turn towards an open field, 'the airspeed slowed.' An uncontrolled descent ensued, and the airplane rolled to the left, then to the right, prior to ground impact. Physical evidence at the accident site confirmed that the airplane impacted the ground nose low in a right bank. Oil was found along the lower wing surfaces, and covering the underside of the airframe towards the empennage and tail. The source of the oil leak could not be determined during the post-accident examination of the engine. ## Factual narrative On May 18, 1996, at 1645 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301, N4424S, operated by Ken's Flying Service as a Title 14 CFR Part 137 flight, was destroyed upon impact with terrain following a loss of control during a forced landing near Griffithville, Arkansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial application flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The flight departed from a private dirt airstrip near Jasmine, Arkansas, about 10 minutes before the accident. During a personal interview, conducted by the FAA inspector, the pilot reported that the engine oil pressure began to fluctuate. Subsequently, "oil pressure was lost" and the engine lost power. The pilot added that, during the descending left turn towards an open field, "the airspeed slowed." An uncontrolled descent ensued, the airplane rolled to the left, then to the right, prior to ground impact. Physical evidence found at the accident site by the FAA inspector confirmed that the airplane impacted the ground nose low in a right turn. The FAA inspector reported that a general disintegration of the airplane occurred during the ground impact sequence. The engine was found separated from the airframe. Oil was found on the lower wing surfaces, with oil covering the underside of the airframe towards the empennage and tail. The source of the oil leak was not determined during the post-accident examination of the engine. The operator provided a partially completed NTSB Form 6120.1/2 to the investigator-in-charge. The pilot could not be reached either telephonically or by mail for his input. The pilot's total flight time listed in the enclosed flight time matrix was obtained from the flight hours required by the FAA for a commercial pilot certificate. The pilot's flight time listed on his last flight physical examination on November 22, 1995, was 11 hours; however, according to FAA records, the pilot received his commercial certificate privileges on April 10, 1996. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4424S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4424S-1997-01-13), registration cancelled 1997-01-13, S/N 3010084 (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: 301-0084 - Airframe hours: 2300 - Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Kenneth Mcconnaughay - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 1996, 100 hours before - Departed: JASMINE, AR - Destination: AR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 250 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 10 knots - Visibility: 5 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 19960518010819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960518010819A), May 18, 1996: Airtrc AT301, Griffithville, AR, Destroyed. Aircraft engine lost power, made an emergency landing in a field. (-23) oil quantity was depleted and engine lost power. Pilot made emergency, uncontrolled… ## Other investigations on N4424S (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 FTW79FRG51](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FRG51), Aug 11, 1979: Air Tractor AT-301 (N4424S), Taft, TX, substantial damage 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.