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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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July 26, 1995 · Air Tractor AT-301 · N3655Q

Poplar Bluff, MO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 26, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Poplar Bluff, MO
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT-301
Tail Number
N3655Q
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI95LA247

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL ON THE GRASS RUNWAY, THE AIRPLANE PARTIALLY LOST ENGINE POWER. HE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF, AND THE AIRPLANE SLID OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY INTO A DITCH. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT IT HAD JUST STOPPED RAINING PRIOR TO HIS TAKEOFF, AND THE RUNWAY WAS WET. HE STATED THAT HE HAD NOT PERFORMED A CARBURETOR HEAT CHECK NOR A MAGNETO CHECK PRIOR TO BEGINNING THE TAKEOFF ROLL. POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE FOUND NO MECHANICAL ANOMALIES. THE REPORTED SURFACE TEMPERATURE IN THE AREA WAS 80 DEGREES, AND THE DEW POINT WAS 76 DEGREES. THESE TEMPERATURES FALL WITHIN THE SEVERE ICING RANGE ON A CARBURETOR ICING PROBABILITY CHART.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's inadequate preflight/planning preparation. Factors in the accident were: the loss of engine power due to carburetor icing, the wet runway, and the ditch.

Full Narrative

On July 26, 1995, at 1300 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301, N3655Q, operated by Mark Hall Aviation of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, collided with an irrigation ditch after aborting takeoff due to a loss of engine power. The airplane was taking off from a private sod airstrip in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and sustained substantial damage. The pilot was not injured. The local 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight operated without a flight plan in visual meteorological conditions. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he had loaded the airplane with chemicals in preparation to spray a local field. He then taxied the airplane to the end of runway 9 (2600' x 100') and prepared for takeoff. The pilot stated that approximately three quarters of the way down the runway during the takeoff roll, the engine lost power. The pilot attempted to abort the takeoff. The airplane slide off the end of the runway and slide into a ditch. The pilot stated to an FAA Inspector that it had just stopped raining prior to his takeoff attempt and the condition of the grass runway was wet. The pilot also stated that he had not performed a carburetor heat check nor a magneto check prior to the starting the takeoff roll. Postaccident examination of the engine found no mechanical anomalies. The reported surface temperature in the area at the time of the accident was 80 degrees and the dew point was 76 degrees. The attached Carburetor Icing Probability Chart places this temperature and dewpoint combination in the severe icing category.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 CDT
Nearest AirportPrivate Field (0nm)
Runway9
Runway Length2600 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAir Tractor AT-301
Tail NumberN3655Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-1340 · Reciprocating · 600

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 30 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 6 kt
Visibility4 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data