# NTSB LAX93LA327: Air Tractor AT-301, N2330V, Dos Palos, CA, August 18, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 18, 1993, 05:30 local (12:30 UTC) - Place: Dos Palos, CA - Coordinates: 37.069198, -120.630477 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0692&lon=-120.6305&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 1, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28452 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA327 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28452/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA327 ## Probable cause THE FAILURE OF THE MASTER ROD WHICH RESULTED IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING. THE IRRIGATION DITCH WAS A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT. ## 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, cruise - engine assembly,master rod - failure,total (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER WHILE RETURNING TO THE DIRT AIRSTRIP. THE PILOT LANDED IN A CULTIVATED FIELD AND COLLIDED WITH AN IRRIGATION DITCH DURING THE LANDING ROLL. THE EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE DISCLOSED THAT THE MASTER ROD FAILED. THE MASTER ROD FAILURE MODE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF DAMAGE IT SUSTAINED. ## Factual narrative On Wednesday, August 18, 1993, at 0530 hours Pacific daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301, N2330V, collided with an irrigation ditch during an emergency landing near Dos Palos, California. The emergency landing was precipitated by a total loss of engine power. The pilot was conducting a local visual flight rules aerial application flight under 14 CFR Part 137. The airplane, operated by Spain Air, Inc., Dos Palos, sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated from a farm airstrip about 5 miles north of the accident site at 0500 hours. The pilot reported the airplane's engine began to run rough while returning to the San Juan Airstrip to pick up another defoliating chemical load. The pilot heard a grinding noise followed by a complete loss of engine power. The pilot landed the airplane in a cultivated field where it collided with the irrigation ditch during the landing roll. The airplane's engine was examined at Aero Engines, Inc., Los Angeles, California. During the examination, it was determined that the master rod failed. The master rod was too badly damaged to determine the mode of failure. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2330V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2330V-2007-01-10), registration cancelled 2007-01-10, S/N 301-0392, built 1981 (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) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: AT301-0392 - Airframe hours: 8716 - Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Spain Air Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 16, 1993, 4 hours before - Airport: Q38, Dos Palos Airport, runway 29, 2,600 × 60 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 22,550 total, 12,750 in this make and model, 22,550 as pilot in command, 400 in the last 90 days, 110 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Wind: calm - Visibility: 35 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F - Observed at: MCE, 21 nm away ## 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 19930818029699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930818029699A), Aug 18, 1993: Airtrc AT301, Dos Palos, CA, Substantial damage. Lost power returning to airport. Collided with irrigation ditch on forced landing. Engine master rod had failed. 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.