# NTSB MIA94LA168: Air Tractor AT-401, N45332, Walls, MS, June 27, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 27, 1994, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Walls, MS
- Coordinates: 34.949531, -90.129409 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9495&lon=-90.1294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 18, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37568
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94LA168
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37568/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA168

## Probable cause

THE PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. THE SANDY TERRAIN WAS A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - roll/run
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Overrun, takeoff - aborted
- Nose over, takeoff - aborted
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ENGINE LOST PARTIAL POWER DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL. THE PILOT ABORTED THE TAKEOFF; HOWEVER, HE COULD NOT STOP THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO OVER-RUNNING THE RUNWAY AND NOSING OVER IN SAND. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO REASON FOR THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

## Factual narrative

On June 27, 1994, about 0900 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-401, N45332, registered to Broadway and Freiman Aircraft, nosed over during an aborted takeoff from the Delta Dusters, Inc. strip at Walls, Mississippi, while on a 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the commercial-rated pilot received minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated the engine began to "spit and sputter" and lose power during the takeoff roll. He aborted the takeoff; however, he was unable to stop the aircraft before over running the runway and nosing over in sand.

Postcrash examination of the engine by the operator indicated the carburetor contained clean fuel. The engine assembly rotated freely and there was no evidence to indicate cylinder malfunction or failure.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N45332](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N45332-2018-03-27), registration cancelled 2018-03-27, S/N 401-0772 (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: 401-0772
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Delta Dusters, Inc.
- Registered owner: Broadway And Freiman Aircraft
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1994
- Airport: ZDWG, Delta Dusters, runway 18, 2,640 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 4,777 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 4,709 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 125 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MEM, 15 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 19940627019509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940627019509A), Jun 27, 1994: Airtrc AT401, Walls, MS, Substantial damage. Report partial power loss on takeoff roll. Aborted but overran ag strip. Nosed over in sand. No engine anomalies.

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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