# NTSB MIA91LA219: Air Tractor AT-401, N1004W, Sumner, MS, September 16, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 16, 1991, 13:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Sumner, MS
- Coordinates: 33.990818, -90.350517 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9908&lon=-90.3505&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32926
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA219
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32926/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA219

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE NO. 1 CYLINDER ASSEMBLY.

## 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, cruise
  - engine assembly,cylinder - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - other

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT 500 FEET AGL WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND QUIT.  AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS CONDUCTED TO A DIRT ROAD IN A COTTON FIELD.  DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH AN ON GROUND OBJECT (TALL COTTON) AND SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.  THE PILOT RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES.  VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY REVEALED THE NO. 1 CYLINDER HAD SPLIT FROM THE EXHAUST PORT TO THE FRONT SPARK PLUG HOLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1004W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1004W-2005-06-22), registration cancelled 2005-06-22, S/N 401-0687, built 1988 (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: 0687
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Flautt Flying Sevice, Inc.
- Registered owner: Flautt Flying Sevice, Inc.
- Departed: NONE, WEBB, MS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 7,500 total, 850 in this make and model, 7,425 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GWO, 35 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 19910916040069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910916040069A), Sep 16, 1991: Airtrc AT401, Sumner, MS, Substantial damage. Returning to base engine failed. Landing on dirt road wing caught on tall cotton. NR1 cylinder failed at plug hole.

## Other investigations on N1004W (2)

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 FTW96LA251](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA251), Jun 15, 1996: Air Tractor AT-401 (N1004W), Cash, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The partial loss of engine power due to fuel contamination. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain available for the forced landing.
- [NTSB FTW95LA301](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA301), Jul 11, 1995: Air Tractor AT-401 (N1004W), Cash, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: ENGINE POWER LOSS DUE TO PARTIAL FAILURE OF ONE MAGNETO COMBINED WITH TOTAL FAILURE OF THE OTHER MAGNETO. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING.

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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