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NTSB Report
April 13, 1989 · Air Tractor AT-301 · N3159D
Fort Pierce, FL
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 13, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Fort Pierce, FL
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT-301
Tail Number
N3159D
Operator
S Eastern Aerial Crop Svc
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA89LA127
THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE CLIMBING AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ACFT ENG STARTED TO GRADUALLY LOSE POWER, THEN STARTED MISSING. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN SOME PALMETTO BUSHES, WHICH DAMAGED THE ACFT'S LANDING GEAR & WINGS. AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THE #5 CYLINDER ASSEMBLY WAS CRACKED, WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF POWER. THE PLT NOTED THAT THERE WERE HOMES IN THE AREA, WHICH PRECLUDED HIM FROM JETTISONING HIS LOAD.
NTSB Probable Cause
FAILURE OF THE NUMBER FIVE CYLINDER. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PROXIMITY OF HOMES IN THE AREA, WHICH PRECLUDED JETTISONING OF THE CHEMICAL LOAD, AND HIGH VEGETATION IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.
Full Narrative
THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE CLIMBING AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ACFT ENG STARTED TO GRADUALLY LOSE POWER, THEN STARTED MISSING. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN SOME PALMETTO BUSHES, WHICH DAMAGED THE ACFT'S LANDING GEAR & WINGS. AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THE #5 CYLINDER ASSEMBLY WAS CRACKED, WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF POWER. THE PLT NOTED THAT THERE WERE HOMES IN THE AREA, WHICH PRECLUDED HIM FROM JETTISONING HIS LOAD.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftAir Tractor AT-301
Tail NumberN3159D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorS Eastern Aerial Crop Svc
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-1340-53H1 · Reciprocating · 600
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 57 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind20° @ 12 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:50
Weather SourceWFAC