# NTSB MIA98LA181: Air Tractor AT-401, N1008Y, Rich, MS, May 24, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 24, 1998, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Rich, MS - Coordinates: 34.360988, -90.519569 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3610&lon=-90.5196&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 1, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38535 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA98LA181 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38535/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA181 ## Probable cause a loss of engine power for an undetermined reason, resulting in a forced landing and subsequent impact with rough terrain. ## Analysis The pilot reported to the NTSB that while he was on an aerial application flight the airplane's engine 'failed...at a low level,' and he had to set down 'immediately.' He landed in a bean field. He said, '...the plane landed fine but the tailwheel broke off and the plane ground looped...the terrain was rough...but was flat.' According to the FAA, the pilot stated that was returning to the airstrip and was sight seeing, flying slow when he saw some power lines in front of him. He panicked and shoved the power up abruptly, the engine coughed and backfired and the aircraft mushed into the ground. Examination of the airplane disclosed no discrepancies with the airframe or the engine. ## Factual narrative On May 24, 1998, about 1030 central daylight time, an Air Tractor Inc. AT-401, N1008Y, registered to a private owner, and operating as a Title 14 CFR Part 137, aerial application flight, impacted with the ground near Rich, Mississippi. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged. The commercial pilot reported no injuries. The flight had departed from Clarksdale, Mississippi, at an unknown time. The pilot reported to the FAA that he was cruising at a low altitude, when he had to suddenly add power to avoid some power lines. The pilot told the FAA, the engine flooded and he lost power. The airplane nosed over and the pilot pulled back on the controls to avoid impacting the ground nose first. The airplane impacted the ground tail first, the right wing struck the ground, and the airplane struck a fence post. The FAA inspector said he interviewed the pilot and the pilot said, "...he was returning back to the airstrip and was sight seeing, flying slow when he saw some power lines in front of him. He panicked and shoved the power up abruptly, the engine coughed and backfired and mushed into the ground." The person that removed the airplane from the field told the FAA inspector that there "...was plenty of fuel." No discrepancies were reported with the airframe or the engine. Several attempts by the NTSB and FAA to reach the pilot and have him return the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, were not successful. On November 25, 1998, the pilot returned the 6120. 1/2. He said he had many addresses since the accident and never received the form. A new form was sent to him and he said while he was on an aerial application flight the airplane's engine "failed...at a low level," and he had to set down "immediately." He landed in a bean field. He said, "...the plane landed fine but the tailwheel broke off and the plane ground looped...the terrain was rough...but was flat." ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - reason for occurrence undetermined - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - rough/uneven ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1008Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1008Y-2021-10-29), registration cancelled 2021-10-29, S/N 401-0704, 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: 401-0704 - Airframe hours: 3100 - Engines: P&W R1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Payton Pittman - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 5, 1998, 86 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 800 total, 340 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 9 knots - Visibility: 4 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,200 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GWO, 50 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 19980524019689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980524019689A), May 24, 1998: Airtrc AT401, Rich, MS, Substantial damage. Over boosted engine trying to miss unforseen wires. Impacted tail first in plowed field. Struck fence post. (.4) the pilot reported to the FAA that he was… 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.