# NTSB NYC03LA168: Air Tractor AT-301, N23820, Rhinebeck, NY, July 26, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 26, 2003, 06:50 local (10:50 UTC) - Place: Rhinebeck, NY - Coordinates: 41.926944, -73.91278 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9269&lon=-73.9128&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 57569 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC03LA168 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57569/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA168 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to a failure of the number eight cylinder. ## 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, cruise - engine assembly,cylinder - failure (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, descent - emergency - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane was in cruise flight when the engine began to vibrate and lose power. The pilot not able to maintain altitude, and performed a forced landing to a field. The airplane was equipped with a Pratt and Whitney R1340 radial engine. Examination of the engine revealed that approximately 50 percent of the number eight cylinder head was separated from it's respective cylinder barrel. Review of maintenance records revealed that the engine had been operated for about 930 hours since it was overhauled and about 20 hours since it's most recent annual inspection. At the time of the annual inspection, a mechanic reported he examined the cylinders and did not detect any cracks. ## Factual narrative On July 26, 2003, about 0650 eastern daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301, N23820, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, after a loss of engine power near Rhinebeck, New York. The certificated commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight that departed the Green Acres Airport (1A1), Livingston, New York. The aerial application flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 137. The pilot reported that the airplane was in cruise flight at 1,200 feet msl, when the engine began to vibrate and lose power. The pilot was not able to maintain altitude, and performed a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the engine and right main landing gear separated from the airframe. In addition, the left wing was damaged. The airplane was equipped with a Pratt and Whitney R1340 radial engine. Examination of the engine by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that approximately 50 percent of the number eight cylinder head was separated from it's respective cylinder barrel. Review of maintenance records revealed that the engine had been operated for about 930 hours since it was overhauled on May 20, 1998. At the time of the overhaul, nine new cylinders were installed. The airplane had been operated for about 20 hours since it's most recent annual inspection, which was performed on April 8, 2003. At the time of the inspection, a mechanic reported that he examined the cylinders and did not detect any cracks. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N23820](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23820-2004-03-06), registration cancelled 2004-03-06, S/N 301-0459, built 1982 (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: 301-0459 - Airframe hours: 6471 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Charles Webber - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 8, 2003, 20 hours before - Departed: 1A1, Livingston, NY ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review May 28, 2003; seat: center; flight hours: 4,070 total, 930 in this make and model, 3,643 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.25 inHg - Observed at: POU, 24 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 20030726036679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030726036679A), Jul 26, 2003: Airtrc AT301, Rhinebeck, NY, Destroyed. (-23) On July 26, 2003 this aircraft departed NK2 in livingston NY enroute to pine island NY for an agricultural application. The aircraft was in cruise at… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.