# NTSB LAX90DXQ03: Air Tractor AT-401, N45116, Tule Lake, CA, August 4, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: August 4, 1990, 08:40 local (15:40 UTC)
- Place: Tule Lake, CA
- Coordinates: 41.799182, -121.460441 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7992&lon=-121.4604&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26590
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90DXQ03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26590/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90DXQ03

## Probable cause

AN ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THE DISTRIBUTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - aerial application
  - ignition system,distributor - failure,total (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE ENGINE QUIT WHEN THE PILOT PULLED UP TO MAKE ANOTHER SPRAY RUN. THE PILOT LANDED IN A FIELD AND COLLIDED WITH A 12 INCH WATER LINE. THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. EXAMINATION FOUND THE RIGHT MAGNETO MISSING APPROXIMATELY 50 PERCENT OF THE TEETH FROM THE DISTRIBUTOR GEAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N45116](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N45116), registered now, S/N 401-0752, built 1990 (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: 401-0752
- Airframe hours: 301
- Engines: P&W R1340 AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Macys Flying Service Inc.
- Registered owner: Macy'S Flying Service Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, April 12, 1990, 301 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 6,187 total, 260 in this make and model, 6,187 as pilot in command, 260 in the last 90 days, 145 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19900804030199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900804030199A), Aug 4, 1990: Airtrc AT401, Tule Lake, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on procedure turn. Landed in grain field. Hit pipe. Nosed over. Magento distributor gear had stripped.

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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