# NTSB LAX84LA445: Air Tractor AT-301, N8636S, San Joaquin, CA, August 19, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 19, 1984, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: San Joaquin, CA
- Coordinates: 36.590911, -120.190704 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5909&lon=-120.1907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24378
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA445
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24378/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA445

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,cylinder - cracked (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - crop

## Analysis

THE AIR TRACTOR WAS ON TAKEOFF INITIAL CLIMB AND WAS ABOUT 20 FT HIGH WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO BACKFIRE. THE AIRCRAFT SETTLED INTO THE COTTON FIELD AND ROTATED ABOUT 90 DEGREES AFTER GROUND CONTACT. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE NUMBER ONE CYLINDER WAS FOUND TO BE SPLIT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8636S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8636S-1999-09-09), registration cancelled 1999-09-09, S/N 301-0168 (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: 301-0168
- Airframe hours: 3280
- Engines: P&W R 1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Schramm Ranches, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 30, 1983, 56 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 30,000 total, 5,780 in this make and model, 30,000 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 505 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 19840819042359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840819042359A), Aug 19, 1984: Airtrc AT301, San Joaquin, CA, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during foreced landing after engine failure.

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.

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