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NTSB Report
September 19, 1988 · Air Tractor AT301 · N31646
Ferriday, LA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 19, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Ferriday, LA
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT301
Tail Number
N31646
Operator
Ben Bernard
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW88DRD21
THE AGRICULTURAL AIRPLANE WAS ON A SWATH RUN WHEN THE ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED. THE PILOT RELEASED THE LOAD OF CHEMICALS AND MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A BEAN FIELD. THERE WAS VERY LITTLE DAMAGE TO THE BEANS BUT THERE WAS SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRPLANE. TEARDOWN INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED A CRACK FROM ONE SPARK PLUG HOLE TO THE OTHER SPARK PLUG HOLE IN THE NUMBER FIVE CYLINDER. INDICATIONS WERE THAT THIS CRACK DID NOT AFFECT THE ENGINE VALVE OPERATION.
Full Narrative
THE AGRICULTURAL AIRPLANE WAS ON A SWATH RUN WHEN THE ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED. THE PILOT RELEASED THE LOAD OF CHEMICALS AND MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A BEAN FIELD. THERE WAS VERY LITTLE DAMAGE TO THE BEANS BUT THERE WAS SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRPLANE. TEARDOWN INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED A CRACK FROM ONE SPARK PLUG HOLE TO THE OTHER SPARK PLUG HOLE IN THE NUMBER FIVE CYLINDER. INDICATIONS WERE THAT THIS CRACK DID NOT AFFECT THE ENGINE VALVE OPERATION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftAir Tractor AT301
Tail NumberN31646
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBen Bernard
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 49 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 10 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time19:48
Weather SourceWFAC