# NTSB FTW96LA251: Air Tractor AT-401, N1004W, Cash, AR, June 15, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 14, 1996, 19:45 local (Jun 15, 1996, 00:45 UTC) - Place: Cash, AR - Coordinates: 35.790195, -90.930824 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7902&lon=-90.9308&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 18, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19864 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA251 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19864/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA251 ## Probable cause The partial loss of engine power due to fuel contamination. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain available 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(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - roll/run - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he had 'been operating the aircraft all day with no problems.' The airplane had landed for another load and was topped off with 60 gallons of 100LL fuel. While on the takeoff roll, the engine lost partial power. The pilot said that he estimated the engine power loss to be at about 50 percent. He 'was on a half mile airstrip with no time or field length for a shut down. I began to dump the load and tried to get [the] aircraft off [the] ground.' The aircraft continued off the departure end of the runway and impacted a dirt bank which separated the landing gear from the aircraft. The airplane's engine was recently overhauled by an FAA certified repair station. The engine was removed from the airframe and test run at the repair station. According to the repair shop, the engine 'exhibited good oil pressures and was operated through all R.P.M./performance ranges and no abnormal characteristics were observed.' The owner's representative stated in a telephone interview with the investigator-in-charge that the power loss was the result of fuel contamination. ## Factual narrative On June 14, 1996, at 1945 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-401, N1004W, registered to and operated by Morrison Aircraft Corporation under Title 14 CFR Part 137, was substantially damaged during takeoff near Cash, Arkansas. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial application flight that was originating at the time of the accident. No flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he had "been operating the aircraft all day with no problems" and he had "carried 9 loads to the field." The airplane landed for another load and was topped off with 60 gallons of 100LL fuel in preparation for the next flight. The pilot reported that, while on takeoff roll, the engine lost partial power. The pilot said that he estimated the engine power loss to be at about 50 percent. The pilot stated that he "was on a half mile airstrip with no time or field length for a shut down. I began to dump the load and tried to get [the] aircraft off [the] ground." The airplane continued off the departure end of the runway and impacted a dirt bank which separated the landing gear from the aircraft. The airplane came to rest in a rice field, approximately 40 feet from the first impact point. The fuselage and both wings were structurally damaged. The airplane's engine was recently overhauled by an FAA certified repair station. The engine was removed from the airframe and test run. According to the facility that performed the test, the engine "exhibited good oil pressures and was operated through all R.P.M./performance ranges and no abnormal characteristics were observed." See enclosed report for details of the engine examination and test run. The owner's representative stated in a telephone interview with the investigator-in-charge that the power loss was the result of fuel contamination. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1004W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1004W-2005-06-22), registration cancelled 2005-06-22, S/N 401-0687, built 1988 (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 - Serial number: 0687 - Airframe hours: 2229 - Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Travis L. Worthington - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 20, 1996, 14 hours before - Departed: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 2,391 total, 12 in this make and model, 2,332 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: JBR ## 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 19960615013919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960615013919A), Jun 15, 1996: Airtrc AT401, Cash, AR, Destroyed. Aircraft lost power on takeoff struck a ditch at end of runway, came to rest in a rice field. (-23) on June 14, 1996, at 1930 local time, pilot was making last… ## Other investigations on N1004W (2) 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 FTW95LA301](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA301), Jul 11, 1995: Air Tractor AT-401 (N1004W), Cash, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: ENGINE POWER LOSS DUE TO PARTIAL FAILURE OF ONE MAGNETO COMBINED WITH TOTAL FAILURE OF THE OTHER MAGNETO. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING. - [NTSB MIA91LA219](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA219), Sep 16, 1991: Air Tractor AT-401 (N1004W), Sumner, MS, substantial damage. Probable cause: FAILURE OF THE NO. 1 CYLINDER ASSEMBLY. 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.