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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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August 29, 1997 · Air Tractor AT-301 · N7307C

Clewiston, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 29, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Clewiston, FL
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT-301
Tail Number
N7307C
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL97LA127

While on an aerial application flight, the pilot reported that the engine started shaking. The airplane was soon unable to maintain altitude, so the pilot attempted a forced landing in a soft field. After touching down, the airplane sank into the soft field, and it nosed over. According to the FAA inspector, the engine had a crack in the #8 cylinder head which led to the loss of power.

NTSB Probable Cause

The crack in the #8 cylinder head which led to the loss of power. A factor was the soft terrain.

Full Narrative

On August 29, 1997, about 1330 eastern daylight time, a Air Tractor AT-301, N7307C, lost engine power and executed a forced landing into a field near Clewiston, Florida. The airplane was operated by Story Aviation, Inc. under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 137, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was filed for this aerial application flight. The commercial pilot was not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The local flight originated from a private strip in Clewiston, Florida about 1330. According to the pilot, he was spraying a field with fertilizer when the aircraft's engine started shaking. He stated it quickly became worse until he did not have enough power to maintain altitude. He dumped his load of fertilizer and attempted to land in an open field. After touchdown, the airplane's wheels sank into the soft field, and the airplane nosed over. According to a FAA inspector, the #8 cylinder head had cracked through the spark plug hole. This led to a loss of engine power.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAir Tractor AT-301
Tail NumberN7307C
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-1340-AN-1 · Reciprocating · 600
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 55 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind100° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time15:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data