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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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NTSB Report

September 16, 1995 · Air Tractor AT-301 · N2362D

Plains, GA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 16, 1995
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Plains, GA
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT-301
Tail Number
N2362D
Operator
Gosa S Aerial Ag
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL95LA169

During the first spray run of an aerial application flight, the engine lost power. Subsequently, the aircraft nosed over during a forced landing and was damaged. An examination of the engine revealed that the number four cylinder rocker arm housing had fractured. The fracture surface had a rough, granular, and irregular appearance, typical of overload failure. There was evidence that when the rocker arm housing became separated from the cylinder, the rocker arm pin failed, allowing the rocker arm to separate from the cylinder and resulting in a loss of continuity to the exhaust valve. The exhaust valve then remained closed, and the engine lost power.

NTSB Probable Cause

Failure of the number four cylinder rocker arm housing and pin, which resulted in a closed exhaust valve and loss of engine power.

Full Narrative

On September 16, 1995, about 1130 eastern daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301, N2362D, nosed over during a forced landing near Plains, Georgia. The airplane was operated by Gosa's Aerial Ag under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the aerial application flight. The commercial pilot had minor injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Origination of the flight was a local private field, about 15 minutes prior to the accident. According to the pilot, he was conducting the first spray run when the engine lost power. The pilot maneuvered the airplane to execute a forced landing into an empty pasture. The airplane landed hard, then nosed over during the landing roll, and was substantially damaged. The engine, a P & W R1340, had been overhauled about 25.6 flight hours prior to the accident. The functional engine exam revealed that the number four cylinder rocker arm housing had fractured. In the detailed photos provided by United States Aviation Underwriters, Inc. the fracture surface had a rough, granular, and irregular appearance. The engine's total hours and number of overhauls could not be determined from the aircraft records that were provided. The operator's report of the accident did list the total hours.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAir Tractor AT-301
Tail NumberN2362D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorGosa S Aerial Ag
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R1340-AN1 · Reciprocating · 600
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 51 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 5000 ft
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:06
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data