# NTSB FTW99LA204: Air Tractor AT-301, N4393S, Victoria, TX, July 26, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 26, 1999, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Victoria, TX - Coordinates: 29.449075, -96.510162 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4491&lon=-96.5102&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 30, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46930 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW99LA204 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46930/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA204 ## Probable cause The separation of the engine cowling due to a fractured support bracket, which resulted in the cowling striking and bending four engine push rods causing a loss of engine power. 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). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering - aerial application - cooling system,cowling - separation (cause) - cooling system,fittings - fractured (cause) - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - aerial application - engine assembly,push rod - bent (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - high vegetation ## Analysis The agricultural airplane was on its first swath run of a boll weevil eradication flight when the engine cowling separated and struck the propeller and engine. The engine lost power, and the pilot executed a forced landing to a cotton field. During the landing roll, the aircraft 'spun' around. The FAA inspector reported that the fractured engine cowling support bracket had a 'dull surface like it had been broken for a while.' Examination of the aircraft's engine revealed that four push rod tubes were bent. ## Factual narrative On July 26, 1999, at 1530 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301 agricultural airplane, N4393S, registered to a private individual and operated by ANF Air Services of Garwood, Texas, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, following a loss of engine power near Victoria, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the aircraft, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight originated from the Victoria Regional Airport, Victoria, Texas. According to the FAA inspector, the aircraft was on its first swath run of a boll weevil eradication flight when the engine cowling separated from the aircraft. As the cowling separated it struck the engine and propeller. The engine lost power and the pilot executed a forced landing to a cotton field. During the landing roll, the aircraft "spun" around. Examination of the aircraft by an FAA inspector revealed that the right main landing gear was sheared off, and the left wing was pulled away from the fuselage. Further examination of the engine revealed that four push rod tubes were bent. According to the FAA inspector, the fractured engine cowling support bracket had a "dull surface like it had been broken for a while." The pilot and operator failed to return a completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4393S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4393S-2021-05-08), registration cancelled 2021-05-08, S/N 301-0053 (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: 301-0053 - Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Anf Air Services - Registered owner: Bobby Addington - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: VCT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 4,990 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 10 knots - 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 19990726023859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990726023859A), Jul 26, 1999: Airtrc AT301, Victoria, TX, Substantial damage. (.19) On July 26, 1999, at 1530 central daylight time, an air tractor AT-301 agricultural airplane, N4393S, registered to a private individual and operated by… 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.