# NTSB MKC89LA146: Air Tractor 301, N3653M, Lonoke, AR, June 28, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 28, 1989, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Lonoke, AR
- Coordinates: 34.780441, -91.890861 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7804&lon=-91.8909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 29, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34821
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA146
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34821/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA146

## Probable cause

PARTIAL FAILURE OF THE POWER-PLANT FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - load jettison - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - animal(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION OPERATION, THE PILOT SAID THAT THE ENGINE LOST SUBSTANTIAL POWER. HE SAID THAT HE BEGAN TO DUMP HIS LOAD, BUT THE AIRCRAFT WAS NOT DEVELOPING ENOUGH POWER TO STAY AIRBORNE, SO HE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A FARM PASTURE. DURING THE LDG ATTEMPT, A COW WAS STRUCK AND KILLED, THEN THE ACFT SLID TO A STOP ON THE EDGE OF A RICE FIELD. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION FAILED TO REVEAL THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3653M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3653M-2020-08-02), registration cancelled 2020-08-02, S/N 301-0272 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR 301
- Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-301) (registry code 0390103) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 301-0272
- Airframe hours: 4663
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Tidwell Flying Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Tidwell Flying Service, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 28, 1989, 1 hours before
- Departed: NONE, LONOKE, AR
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 10,000 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 9,900 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 84 °F

## 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 19890628018139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890628018139A), Jun 28, 1989: Airtrc AT301, Lonoke, AR, Substantial damage. Lost power dumped load. Not enough power to fly. Landed, struck and killed a cow. Cause of power loss undetermined.

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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