# NTSB MIA91LA144: Air Tractor AT-301, N8563S, Tutwiler, MS, May 13, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 13, 1991, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Tutwiler, MS
- Coordinates: 34.009929, -90.419204 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0099&lon=-90.4192&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32869
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32869/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA144

## Probable cause

FATIGUE FAILURE OF ONE OF THE PROPELLER BLADES RESULTING IN THE FORCED LANDING.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - fatigue (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - failure,total
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A PIECE OF ONE OF THE PROPELLER BLADES SEPARATED DUE TO FATIGUE DURING A TURN TO REVERSE DIRECTION.  AFTER TOUCHDOWN IN A FIELD DURING THE FORCED LANDING, THE ACFT NOSED OVER. REVIEW OF THE ACFT LOGBOOK REVEALED THAT 5 DAYS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, A NICK IN ONE OF THE PROPELLER BLADES WAS REPAIRED BUT THE ENTRY DOESN'T SPECIFY WHICH BLADE.  THE OPERATOR UTILIZES A GRAVEL RWY AT HIS FACILITY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8563S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8563S-1997-08-29), registration cancelled 1997-08-29, S/N 3010146 (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: 301-0146
- Airframe hours: 4560
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Flying Y Aero, Inc.
- Registered owner: Flying Y Aero, Inc.
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1990, 238 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 8,500 total, 3,500 in this make and model, 8,400 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 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 19910513015759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910513015759A), May 13, 1991: Airtrc AT301, Tutwiler, MS, Substantial damage. Engine vibration. Nosed over on forced landing. Prop blade failed 9 inches from tip due fatigue. Gravel ag strip.

## Other investigations on N8563S (1)

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.

- [NTSB MIA96LA226](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA226), Sep 5, 1996: Air Tractor 301 (N8563S), St Clair, AL, destroyed. Probable cause: failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, while maneuvering, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and uncontrolled descent to ground.

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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