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NTSB Report
August 27, 1987 · Air Tractor AT-301 · N3159X
Tillar, AR
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 27, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Tillar, AR
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT-301
Tail Number
N3159X
Operator
Robert R Jacobs
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC87DPG03
THE PILOT STATED THAT THE PROP RPM BECAME ERRATIC. ON APPROACH, THE PROP RAN COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL, CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO NOSE DOWN INTO A PLOWED FIELD JUST SHORT OF THE LANDING AREA. THE A/C HIT ON THE MAIN LANDING GEAR, BROKE THEM OFF, THEN IT NOSED OVER. INSPECTION OF THE PROPELLER FOUND THAT ALL OF THE DOWEL PINS THAT FIX THE DOME STATIONARY TO THE HUB ASSEMBLY HAD FAILED. THIS FAILURE WAS THE RESULT OF THE BARREL SHIMS BEING PARTIALLY INSTALLED ALONG THE EDGE OF THE DOME INSTEAD OF FLAT AGAINST THE DOME SHELF IN THE HUB. THE RESULT WAS THE BLADES BECOMING DISENGAGED FROM THE GEARING.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT STATED THAT THE PROP RPM BECAME ERRATIC. ON APPROACH, THE PROP RAN COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL, CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO NOSE DOWN INTO A PLOWED FIELD JUST SHORT OF THE LANDING AREA. THE A/C HIT ON THE MAIN LANDING GEAR, BROKE THEM OFF, THEN IT NOSED OVER. INSPECTION OF THE PROPELLER FOUND THAT ALL OF THE DOWEL PINS THAT FIX THE DOME STATIONARY TO THE HUB ASSEMBLY HAD FAILED. THIS FAILURE WAS THE RESULT OF THE BARREL SHIMS BEING PARTIALLY INSTALLED ALONG THE EDGE OF THE DOME INSTEAD OF FLAT AGAINST THE DOME SHELF IN THE HUB. THE RESULT WAS THE BLADES BECOMING DISENGAGED FROM THE GEARING.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:07 CDT
Nearest Airport1nm SSE
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftAir Tractor AT-301
Tail NumberN3159X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRobert R Jacobs
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-1340-AN1 · Reciprocating · 600
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 33 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind22° @ 5 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 10000 ft
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:51
Weather SourceWFAC