# NTSB MKC90LA128: Air Tractor AT-301, N3650Z, Ulysses, KS, June 15, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 15, 1990, 09:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: Ulysses, KS
- Coordinates: 37.569583, -101.349952 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5696&lon=-101.3500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34999
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC90LA128
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34999/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90LA128

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE POWERPLANT CYLINDER AND STALL/MUSH ENCOUNTERED BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - aerial application
  - engine assembly,cylinder - failure,total (contributing factor)
- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - stall/mush - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE PERFORMING AN AERIAL APPLICATION OPERATION, THE COMMERCIAL PLT SAID THAT THE ENGINE LOST PARTIAL POWER, FOLLOWED SHORTLY BY A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. AN EMERGENCY LDG WAS ATTEMPTED ON A COUNTY, GRAVEL ROAD; HOWEVER, THE ACFT STALLED AND STRUCK THE ROAD'S SHOULDER, SHORT OF THE ROAD. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED A CRACKED #1 CYLINDER CAUSED THE ENGINE FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3650Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3650Z-2024-07-10), registration cancelled 2024-07-10, S/N 301-0254, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR AT-301
- Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-301) (registry code 0390103) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 301-0254
- Airframe hours: 2234
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Murphy Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 5, 1989, 88 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 9,700 total, 3,072 in this make and model, 9,700 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900615021079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900615021079A), Jun 15, 1990: Airtrc AT301, Ulysses, KS, Substantial damage. Engine failed on a spray run,tried to land on a road but stalled and crashed. NR1 cylinder had cracked.

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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