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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, 1999 · Air Tractor AT-301 · N4393S

Victoria, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 26, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Victoria, TX
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT-301
Tail Number
N4393S
Operator
Anf Air Services
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW99LA204

The agricultural airplane was on its first swath run of a boll weevil eradication flight when the engine cowling separated and struck the propeller and engine. The engine lost power, and the pilot executed a forced landing to a cotton field. During the landing roll, the aircraft 'spun' around. The FAA inspector reported that the fractured engine cowling support bracket had a 'dull surface like it had been broken for a while.' Examination of the aircraft's engine revealed that four push rod tubes were bent.

NTSB Probable Cause

The separation of the engine cowling due to a fractured support bracket, which resulted in the cowling striking and bending four engine push rods causing a loss of engine power. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Full Narrative

On July 26, 1999, at 1530 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301 agricultural airplane, N4393S, registered to a private individual and operated by ANF Air Services of Garwood, Texas, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, following a loss of engine power near Victoria, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the aircraft, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight originated from the Victoria Regional Airport, Victoria, Texas. According to the FAA inspector, the aircraft was on its first swath run of a boll weevil eradication flight when the engine cowling separated from the aircraft. As the cowling separated it struck the engine and propeller. The engine lost power and the pilot executed a forced landing to a cotton field. During the landing roll, the aircraft "spun" around. Examination of the aircraft by an FAA inspector revealed that the right main landing gear was sheared off, and the left wing was pulled away from the fuselage. Further examination of the engine revealed that four push rod tubes were bent. According to the FAA inspector, the fractured engine cowling support bracket had a "dull surface like it had been broken for a while." The pilot and operator failed to return a completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAir Tractor AT-301
Tail NumberN4393S
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAnf Air Services
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-1340-AN1 · Reciprocating · 600
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 38 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data