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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

November 9, 1998 · Air Tractor AT-301 · N8770S

Statesboro, GA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 9, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Statesboro, GA
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT-301
Tail Number
N8770S
Operator
Richard L Hilde
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL99LA014

The pilot stated that he was on an approach to land at the staging airstrip when he noticed that the ground crew had positioned another airplane 2000 feet down the runway. The pilot said that his landing airspeed was a little fast, so to assure a safe clearance, he elected to execute a go-around. When the pilot advanced the throttle for the go-around, the engine spit and sputtered, and lost power. As the pilot maneuvered for a forced landing, the left wing collided with a fence post. The airplane subsequently yawed left, slid on the ground, and collided with trees on the departure end of the extended runway center line. The pilot also stated that he did not apply carburetor heat unless temperatures were 70 degrees Fahrenheit or below. During the examination of the engine, the spark plugs were removed from the engine and found to be sooted. A review of the weather data disclosed that conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor icing.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE CARBURETOR HEAT. FACTORS WERE CONDITIONS FAVORABLE FOR THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE.

Full Narrative

On November 9, 1998, about 1645 eastern standard time, an Air Tractor AT-301, N8770S, collided with a fence post during an attempted go around, at Hilde Ag Strip near Statesboro, Georgia. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. There were no injuries to the commercial pilot, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight departed the same airstrip in Statesboro, Georgia, at 1615. The pilot stated that he was on an approach to land at the staging airstrip when he noticed that the ground grew had positioned another airplane 2000 feet down the runway. The pilot said that his landing airspeed was a little fast, so to assure a safe clearance, he elected to execute a go-around. When the pilot advanced the throttle for the go-around, the engine spit and sputtered, and lost power. As the pilot maneuvered for a forced landing, the left wing collided with a fence post. The airplane subsequently yawed left, slid on the ground, and collided with trees on the departure end of the extended runway center line. The pilot also stated that he did not apply carburetor heat unless temperatures were 70 degrees Fahrenheit or below. However, according to the Air Tractor Flight Manual, during the approach and landing, the pilot is instructed to apply carburetor heat when weather conditions are favorable for the formation of carburetor ice. During the examination of the engine, the spark plugs were removed from the engine and found to be sooted. It was stated by the Federal Aviation Administration inspector that the spark plugs were re-installed in the engine and the engine was operated at a low power setting. A review of the weather data disclosed that conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor icing.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:45 EST
Nearest AirportPrivate Ag Strip (0nm)
Runway0
Runway Length2200 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAir Tractor AT-301
Tail NumberN8770S
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRichard L Hilde
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-1340-AN-1 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats1

People & Injuries

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

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data