# NTSB FTW96LA258: Air Tractor 301A, N7319C, Hunter, AR, June 18, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 18, 1996, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Hunter, AR - Coordinates: 35.050872, -91.119155 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0509&lon=-91.1192&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report February 18, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19871 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA258 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19871/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA258 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## 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) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing ## Analysis Several witnesses in the area at the time of the accident reported that they were observing the airplane as it was spraying a field. They stated that they could not hear the engine running as the airplane began descending toward the ground. According to one of the witnesses, the engine was 'trying to get its sound back' prior to the airplane impacting the ground in a right wing low attitude. The pilot stated that he did not recall any part of the accident event. According to the pilot's ground crew, the airplane was refueled (left wing tank only) prior to the flight. The right wing tank was not checked or refueled. According to the operator, each wing fuel tank has a capacity of 60 gallons of usable fuel. The flight commenced at 1100, and was flying approximately 1 hour 15 minutes prior to the accident. Fuel tank integrity was compromised by impact damage. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces, and an engine run could not be performed. ## Factual narrative On June 18, 1996, approximately 1215 central daylight time, an Air Tractor 301A, N7319C, registered to and operated by a private owner, was destroyed following a forced landing after a loss of engine power while applying pesticides to a rice field in the vicinity of Hunter, Arkansas. The commercial pilot sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. The flight originated from a private grass strip near the accident site. Several witnesses in the area at the time of the accident reported they were observing the airplane as it was spraying a field. They stated that, they could not hear the engine running as the airplane began descending toward the ground. According to one of the witnesses, the engine was "trying to get its sound back" prior to the airplane impacting the ground in a right wing low attitude. The pilot stated that he did not recall any part of the accident event. An interview with one of the pilot's ground crew revealed that the aircraft was refueled (left wing tank only) prior to the flight. He also stated that the right wing fuel tank was not checked or refueled. According to the operator, the each wing fuel tank has a capacity of 60 gallons of usable fuel. The airplane commenced the flight at 1100, and was flying approximately 1 hour 15 minutes prior to the accident. Fuel tank integrity was compromised by impact damage. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces, and a post accident engine run could not be performed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7319C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7319C-1997-03-20), registration cancelled 1997-03-20, S/N 3010682 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor 301A - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-301) (registry code 0390103) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 301-0682 - Engines: P&W R-1340-AN14B 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Garvin L. Melvin - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Flight plan: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,200 total, 900 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °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 19960618014249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960618014249A), Jun 18, 1996: Airtrc AT301, Oakgrove, AR, Destroyed. Struck ground during a turn around. 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.