# NTSB MIA97LA233: Air Tractor AT-301, N4411S, Waynesboro, GA, August 16, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 15, 1997, 21:30 local (Aug 16, 1997, 01:30 UTC) - Place: Waynesboro, GA - Coordinates: 33.09095, -82.010894 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0909&lon=-82.0109&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 2, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38327 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA233 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38327/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA233 ## Probable cause The obscured vision of the pilot due to oil covering the windscreen. Contributing to the accident was the partial loss of engine power due to a cracked head of one of the cylinders and unsuitable terrain encountered during the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal - engine assembly,cylinder - cracked (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - visual lookout - not possible, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - ditch - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis After completion of spray application while returning to the departure airport, the engine experienced a partial loss of power and engine oil began covering the windscreen. The pilot initiated a forced landing on a road but during the landing roll, the airplane drifted off the road into a ditch and nosed over. Examination of the engine revealed that the head of the No. 1 cylinder was cracked from one spark plug hole to the other. ## Factual narrative On August 15, 1997, about 2130 eastern daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301, N4411S, registered to a private individual, rolled over during the landing roll following a forced landing near Waynesboro, Georgia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the flight operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the commercial-rated pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The flight originated about 2050, from the Burke County Airport, Waynesboro, Georgia. The pilot stated that after completing spray operations during cruise flight while returning to the departure airport, the engine experienced a loss of power followed by oil spray on the windshield. With oil obscuring his vision he landed on a highway and during the landing roll, the left main landing gear traveled off the paved surface of the road onto dirt. The airplane then veered off the road into a ditch and rolled over. Postcrash examination of the engine by an FAA airworthiness inspector revealed that the head of the No. 1 cylinder was cracked from one spark plug hole to the other. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4411S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4411S-1997-12-02), registration cancelled 1997-12-02, S/N 3010071 (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: 301-0071 - Airframe hours: 5450 - Engines: P&W R1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Robert H. Mcmillan - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 2, 1997 - Departed: BXG ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 12,888 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 12,500 as pilot in command, 750 in the last 90 days, 150 in the last 30 days, 12 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 190° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: AGS ## 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 19970815022579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970815022579A), Aug 15, 1997: Airtrc AT301, Waynesboro, GA, Substantial damage. Aircraft engine failed during aerial application and aircraft crashed and flipped over. (.4)after completion of spray application while returning to the… ## Other investigations on N4411S (3) 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 ATL83LA292](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA292), Jun 28, 1983: Air Tractor AT-301 (N4411S), Fairfax, SC, substantial damage - [NTSB ATL80FLG17](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL80FLG17), Aug 15, 1980: Air Tractor AT-301 (N4411S), Ehrhardt, SC, substantial damage - [NTSB FTW80DRD35](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW80DRD35), May 26, 1980: Airtractor AT301 (N4411S), Eunice, LA, 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.