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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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March 2, 1985 · Grumman AG-CAT-G-114 AG-CAT-G-1 · N4654

Madisonville, TN

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 2, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Madisonville, TN
Aircraft
Grumman AG-CAT-G-114 AG-CAT-G-1
Tail Number
N4654
Operator
Dixie Dusters
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL85FLT04

THE ACFT CRASHED IN AN OPEN PASTURE AFTER LOSS OF POWER FOLLOWING A TAKEOFF FROM AN ADJACENT PASTURE. THE ACFT HAD EXPEREINCED A POWER LOSS A FEW MINUTES EARLIER WHICH HAD FORCED THE PLT TO MAKE AN EMERGENGY LNDG. AFTER GRND CHECKING THE POWERPLANT THE PLT DECIDED TO MAKE A 2ND ATTEMPT AT FLYING. THE 2ND TAKEOFF RESULTED IN A PWR LOSS AND THE 2ND FORCED LNDG ENDED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE PLT REPORTED AFTER THE ACCIDENT THAT MISSING ENG PROBLEMS HAD OCCURED ON OTHER OCCASIONS PRIOR TO THE MALFUNCTIONS ON THIS DAY. THE DESTRUCTION OF THE ENG BY FIRE FOLLOWING THE CRASH PRECLUDED A COMPLETE ENG EXAM TO FIRMLY ESTABLISH A REASON FOR THE ENG MALFUNCTIONS. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE'DUMPED' THE ACFT DURING LNDG INTO A FENCE TO AVOID HITTING PEOPLE ON AN ADJACENT GOLF COURSE. HE ALSO SAID HE SHOULD HAVE DUMPED THE'AG'LOAD & STOPPED TO THINK BEFORE A TAKEOFF OF THIS NATURE. THE ENG HAD ONLY OPERATED 20 FLT HRS SINCE INSPECTION.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT CRASHED IN AN OPEN PASTURE AFTER LOSS OF POWER FOLLOWING A TAKEOFF FROM AN ADJACENT PASTURE. THE ACFT HAD EXPEREINCED A POWER LOSS A FEW MINUTES EARLIER WHICH HAD FORCED THE PLT TO MAKE AN EMERGENGY LNDG. AFTER GRND CHECKING THE POWERPLANT THE PLT DECIDED TO MAKE A 2ND ATTEMPT AT FLYING. THE 2ND TAKEOFF RESULTED IN A PWR LOSS AND THE 2ND FORCED LNDG ENDED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE PLT REPORTED AFTER THE ACCIDENT THAT MISSING ENG PROBLEMS HAD OCCURED ON OTHER OCCASIONS PRIOR TO THE MALFUNCTIONS ON THIS DAY. THE DESTRUCTION OF THE ENG BY FIRE FOLLOWING THE CRASH PRECLUDED A COMPLETE ENG EXAM TO FIRMLY ESTABLISH A REASON FOR THE ENG MALFUNCTIONS. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE'DUMPED' THE ACFT DURING LNDG INTO A FENCE TO AVOID HITTING PEOPLE ON AN ADJACENT GOLF COURSE. HE ALSO SAID HE SHOULD HAVE DUMPED THE'AG'LOAD & STOPPED TO THINK BEFORE A TAKEOFF OF THIS NATURE. THE ENG HAD ONLY OPERATED 20 FLT HRS SINCE INSPECTION.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:54 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGrumman AG-CAT-G-114 AG-CAT-G-1
Tail NumberN4654
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorDixie Dusters
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R985 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 48 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data