# NTSB MIA87LA244: Air Tractor AT301, N23600, Belle Glade, FL, September 11, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1987, 09:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Belle Glade, FL
- Coordinates: 26.679178, -80.670707 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.6792&lon=-80.6707&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31962
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87LA244
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31962/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA244

## 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, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - eng assembly,blower/impeller/integral supercharger - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - other
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS SPRAYING WATER TO CLEAN OUT HIS HOPPER TANK. DURING APPROACH TO LAND THE ENG QUIT. UNABLE TO REACH THE AIRSTRIP THE PLT LANDED ON A ROAD. ON LANDING ROLLOUT ON THE ROAD HE STRUCK A HIDDEN 55 GALLON DRUM WITH THE RIGHT WING TIP, SPUN APPROXIMATELY 60 DEGREES TO THE RIGHT, FLIPPED OVER & CAME TO REST INVERTED IN A CANAL ALONGSIDE THE ROAD. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE AIRCRAFT LOST POWER DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE INTERNAL SUPERCHARGER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N23600](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N23600), registered now, S/N 301-0398 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT301
- Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-301) (registry code 0390103) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3010398
- Airframe hours: 3395
- Engines: P&W R1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Thomas R.Summersill,Inc.
- Registered owner: Thomas R Summersill Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 6, 1986

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 12,847 total, 3,300 in this make and model, 12,808 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI, 32 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 19870911051659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870911051659A), Sep 11, 1987: Airtrc AT301, Belle Glade, FL, Substantial damage. Supercharger failed. Forced landing on road. Struck a hidden drum with wing. Came to rest inverted in a water canal

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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