# NTSB MKC90LA030: Air Tractor AT301, N3158Z, Ellinwood, KS, November 7, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 7, 1989, 08:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Ellinwood, KS
- Coordinates: 38.35099, -98.580375 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3510&lon=-98.5804&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 September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34912
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC90LA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34912/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90LA030

## Probable cause

THE PARTIAL FAILURE OF THE ENGINE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS WHICH RESULTED IN A FORCED LANDING. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SOFT DIRT.

## 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 - performed, pilot in command
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING CLIMBOUT HE BELIEVED THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENG PWR. HE DUMPED HIS CHEMICAL LOAD AS THE ACFT DESCENDED. HE MANEUVERED THE ACFT TO AVOID SEVERAL OBSTACLES, BUT THE LEFT GEAR EVENTUALLY SEPARATED AFTER THE ACFT LANDED IN SOFT DIRT. A POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT AND THE ENGINE FAILED TO ACCOUNT FOR THE REPORTED PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE PWR; THE DISASSEMBLY OF THE ENG DID NOT REVEAL ANY PRE-IMPACT MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3158Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3158Z), registered now, S/N 301-0457 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR AT301
- Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-301) (registry code 0390103) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 301-0457
- Airframe hours: 2365
- Engines: P&W R1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Ellinwood Flying Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 17, 1989, 207 hours before
- Airport: 1K6, Ellinwood

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 7,500 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 7,470 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 39 °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 19891107045779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891107045779A), Nov 7, 1989: Airtrc AT301, Ellinwood, KS, Substantial damage. Engine lost partial power on takeoff. Dumped part of spray load. Landed off airport gear separated on rollout.

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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