# NTSB FTW97LA317: Air Tractor AT-301, N2316X, Vernon, TX, August 17, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 16, 1997, 20:30 local (Aug 17, 1997, 01:30 UTC) - Place: Vernon, TX - Coordinates: 34.140933, -99.299194 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1409&lon=-99.2992&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 26, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20318 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA317 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20318/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA317 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain clearance from an irrigation pipe. Factors relating to the accident were: the poor light condition at dusk, the object (vertical piece of irragation pipe), loss of engine power from foreign object damage, and the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application - light condition - dusk (contributing factor) - object - other (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - aerial application - engine assembly,cylinder - foreign object damage (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - Nose over, emergency landing ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was flying a swath run over a cotton field at dusk, when his airplane's engine 'lost most of its power.' He stated that he tried to land straight ahead, but 'had to pop-up over a road into the next field.' The next field was terraced. During the landing, the airplane impacted a terrace, which 'flipped the airplane over on its back.' The farmer, whose field was being sprayed, reported to the pilot that 'there was a vertical piece of irrigation pipe in the field that was bent.' The repair facility, where the engine was sent, reported that the number 5 cylinder had received damage when it was 'apparently struck or hit by something.' ## Factual narrative On August 16, 1997, approximately 2030 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301, N2316X, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following partial loss of engine power near Vernon, Texas. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was operated by Vernon Ag Service under Title 14 CFR part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial application flight that originated from Vernon, Texas, approximately 10 minutes before the accident. No flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported to the Investigator-In-Charge (IIC) that he was flying an application swath, at dusk, in a cotton field when his airplane's engine "lost most of its power." He stated that he attempted to land straight ahead but "had to pop-up over a road into the next field." The field was terraced and the airplane impacted one, which subsequently "flipped the airplane over on its back." The farmer, whose field was being sprayed, reported to the pilot that "there was a vertical piece of irrigation pipe in the field that was bent." The repair facility, where the engine was sent, reported that the number 5 cylinder failed due to being "apparently struck or hit by something." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2316X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2316X-2006-05-01), registration cancelled 2006-05-01, S/N 301-0380 (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: 301-0380 - Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Vernon Ag Service - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: FO5 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 180° at 1 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 95 °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 19970817022549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970817022549A), Aug 17, 1997: Airtrc AT301, Vernon, TX, Substantial damage. During pullup from spray run struck 12FT irrigation pipe. Damaged NR5 cylinder causing power loss. (-23) on August 16, 1997, at 2034 CDT, an air tractor AT-301… ## Other investigations on N2316X (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 FTW02LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA030), Nov 7, 2001: Air Tractor AT-301 (N2316X), Anton, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The total loss of engine power while maneuvering due to a cracked cylinder, which resulted in a forced landing. A factor was lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. 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.