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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, 1990 · Air Tractor AT-401 · N7315S

San Joaquin, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 26, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
San Joaquin, CA
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT-401
Tail Number
N7315S
Operator
Grouleff Aviation
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX90DVA07

THE PILOT EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE FAILURE DURING AERIAL APPLICATION, LANDED IN A FIELD AND THE AIRCRAFT FLIPPED OVER. THE AIRCRAFT REMAINED INTACT WITH NO FIRE. THE PILOT EXPIRED FROM 'POSITIONAL ASPHYXIA.' EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THE NO. 4 CYLINDER WAS CRACKED AROUND THE COOLING FINS AND CONTINUED THROUGH THE CENTER OF THE SPARK PLUG BOSS. THE ENGINE HAD 7251 TOTAL HOURS AND 339 HOURS SINCE OVERHAUL.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE FAILURE DURING AERIAL APPLICATION, LANDED IN A FIELD AND THE AIRCRAFT FLIPPED OVER. THE AIRCRAFT REMAINED INTACT WITH NO FIRE. THE PILOT EXPIRED FROM 'POSITIONAL ASPHYXIA.' EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THE NO. 4 CYLINDER WAS CRACKED AROUND THE COOLING FINS AND CONTINUED THROUGH THE CENTER OF THE SPARK PLUG BOSS. THE ENGINE HAD 7251 TOTAL HOURS AND 339 HOURS SINCE OVERHAUL.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time00:30 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAir Tractor AT-401
Tail NumberN7315S
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorGrouleff Aviation
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R1340-AN-1 · Reciprocating · 600
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 56 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind310° @ 9 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time06:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data