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NTSB Report
August 19, 1987 · Air Tractor AT-400A · N3159C
Monroe, LA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 19, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Monroe, LA
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT-400A
Tail Number
N3159C
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW87DRD13
THE AG PILOT PULLED UP FROM A SWATH RUN WHILE SPRAYING CHEMICALS ON COTTON AND THE PT 6A-20A ENGINE IN HIS AIRCRAFT EXPLODED. A POST ACCIDENT TEARDOWN OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THE BLADES OF A COMPRESSOR DISK HAD FAILED CAUSING A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. REASON FOR FAILURE OF THE BLADES WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE COTTON FIELD WAS LOCATED ON THE PROPERTY OF THE REGIONAL AIRPORT AT MONROE, LA, HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT IN A POSITION TO REACH A RUNWAY FOR LANDING AND AIRSPEED WAS NOT MAINTAINED. THIS RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING.
Full Narrative
THE AG PILOT PULLED UP FROM A SWATH RUN WHILE SPRAYING CHEMICALS ON COTTON AND THE PT 6A-20A ENGINE IN HIS AIRCRAFT EXPLODED. A POST ACCIDENT TEARDOWN OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THE BLADES OF A COMPRESSOR DISK HAD FAILED CAUSING A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. REASON FOR FAILURE OF THE BLADES WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE COTTON FIELD WAS LOCATED ON THE PROPERTY OF THE REGIONAL AIRPORT AT MONROE, LA, HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT IN A POSITION TO REACH A RUNWAY FOR LANDING AND AIRSPEED WAS NOT MAINTAINED. THIS RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:21 CDT
Nearest AirportMonroe Reg. (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftAir Tractor AT-400A
Tail NumberN3159C
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6A-20A · Turboprop · 550
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 42 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO