# NTSB MIA98LA228: Air Tractor AT401, N1013Z, Ruleville, MS, August 21, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 21, 1998, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Ruleville, MS
- Coordinates: 33.719867, -90.549812 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7199&lon=-90.5498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 21, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 43765
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA98LA228
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43765/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA228

## Probable cause

A fire of undetermined origin.

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, takeoff - aborted
  - reason for occurrence undetermined, unknown

## Analysis

During takeoff, the engine backfired. The pilot smelled fuel, and observed a low fuel light. He aborted the takeoff and started an emergency shutdown. He realized the airplane was on fire and exited the airplane. The airplane was destroyed by fire. The source of the fire was not determined.

## Factual narrative

On August 21, 1998, about 1330 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-401, N1013Z, registered to Cane Lake Aero Inc., operating as a 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight, experienced a reported engine fire on takeoff. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was destroyed by fire. The commercial pilot reported no injuries. The flight was originating from Cane Lake Aero, a private airstrip, Ruleville, Mississippi, at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated he was on takeoff to the north. The engine started backfiring, he smelled fuel, and observed a low fuel pressure light. He aborted the takeoff and started an emergency shutdown. He realized the airplane was on fire and exited the airplane after it came to a complete stop.

Examination of the aircraft wreckage failed to reveal the source of the fire.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1013Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1013Z-2000-04-03), registration cancelled 2000-04-03, S/N 401-0718 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT401
- Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-401](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-401) (registry code 0390204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 401-0178
- Airframe hours: 2159
- Engines: P&W reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Cane Lake Aero Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 3, 1998, 316 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Airport: NONE, Cane Lake Aero, runway 36, 2,400 × 40 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 9,500 total, 900 in this make and model, 9,362 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GWO, 30 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 19980821021709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980821021709A), Aug 21, 1998: Airtrc AT401, Ruleville, MS, Destroyed. Acft took off for aerial application and was low on fuel pressure. Pilot started shut-down procedure. (.4) the pilot was taking off to the north. The engine…

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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