# NTSB MIA93LA179: Air Tractor AT-301, N3655G, Rome, MS, August 20, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 20, 1993, 10:45 local (15:45 UTC) - Place: Rome, MS - Coordinates: 33.970287, -90.499183 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9703&lon=-90.4992&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 30, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 37386 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA93LA179 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37386/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA93LA179 ## Probable cause LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO USE ALL AVAILABLE RUNWAY FOR TAKEOFF. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - all available runway - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - load jettison - performed, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment ## Analysis THE PILOT BEGAN THE AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT BY STARTING HIS TAKEOFF FROM MIDFIELD, RATHER THAN USING ALL OF THE RUNWAY. MOMENTS AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT IMMEDIATELY JETTISONED HIS LOAD AND MADE A FORCED LANDING STRAIGHT AHEAD TO A RICE PADDY. HOWEVER, THE MAIN GEAR AND RIGHT WING TIP COLLIDED WITH A DIRT BANK/LEVY, AND THE AIRPLANE WAS DAMAGED. NO ABNORMALITY OF THE ENGINE WAS FOUND, AND FUEL WAS PRESENT IN THE CARBURETOR BOWL. ## Factual narrative On August 20, 1993, at about 1045 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301, N3655G, registered to Jeff Jones, leased to Adams Flying Service, operating as a 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight crashed after sustaining a total loss of engine power at lift off. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot departed from a private airstrip about 1 minute before the accident. The pilot stated in an interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge that he departed to the north at midfield with about 5/10 of a mile of runway remaining. Upon reaching VLOF airspeed, the airplane became airborne and experienced a total loss of engine power. He immediately jettisoned his load and made a forced landing straight ahead to a rice paddy. The main gear and right wing tip collided with a dirt bank/levy. The airplane spun to the right 180 degrees and came to a complete stop upright. Examination of the airplane by an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector revealed the engine was free to turn with no abnormalities observed. Fuel was present in the carburetor bowl. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3655G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3655G-2018-06-26), registration cancelled 2018-06-26, S/N 301-0292 (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: 292 - Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Adams Flying Service - Registered owner: Jones, Jeff - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 17, 1992 - Departed: NONE - Destination: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 15,000 total, 400 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GWO, 37 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 19930820029869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930820029869A), Aug 20, 1993: Airtrc AT301, Rome, MS, Substantial damage. Report powerloss on initial climbout. Force landed. Hit rice levee. No engine anomalies found. Took off midfield. ## Other investigations on N3655G (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 CEN13LA472](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA472), Aug 4, 2013: Air Tractor AT-301 (N3655G), Simmesport, LA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain proper airplane pitch control while maneuvering at an altitude that was too low for recovery. - [NTSB FTW87DPJ06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87DPJ06), Mar 22, 1987: Air Tractor AT301 (N3655G), El Dorado, OK, substantial damage 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.