# NTSB MKC87LA137: Air Tractor AT301A, N3169N, Baderville, MO, July 12, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 12, 1987, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Baderville, MO
- Coordinates: 36.550231, -89.810623 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5502&lon=-89.8106&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34411
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC87LA137
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34411/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87LA137

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - previous damage (contributing factor)
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - failure,total (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - separation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- Fire, other

## Analysis

DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION OPERATION, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A VIOLENT ENGINE VIBRATION. HE REDUCED POWER AND ATTEMPTED AN EMERGENCY LDG. ACFT NOSED OVER ON LANDING. THE PILOT EXITED AIRCRAFT THROUGH SIDE WINDOW. ACFT CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS DESTROYED. INVESTIGATION REVEALED APPROXIMATELY FOURTEEN INCHES OF PROPELLER BLADE WAS MISSING. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION DETERMINED THE BLADE SEPARATION RESULTED FROM STRIKING AN OBJECT IN THE PAST WHICH RESULTED IN A CRACK THAT FINALLY SEPARATED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3169N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3169N-1994-07-12), registration cancelled 1994-07-12, S/N 3010573 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR AT301A
- Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-301) (registry code 0390103) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3010573
- Airframe hours: 800
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Kewanee Ag Service
- Registered owner: Dan C Hall
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: KEWANEE, MO

## 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: 6,500 total, 600 in this make and model, 6,500 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 12 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 10 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19870712034469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870712034469A), Jul 12, 1987: Airtrc AT301, Baderville, MO, Destroyed. Propeller blade separated from aircraft. Forced landing in a field. Aircraft destroyed by fire after impact.

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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