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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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NTSB Report

July 26, 2003 · Air Tractor AT-301 · N23820

Rhinebeck, NY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 26, 2003
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Rhinebeck, NY
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT-301
Tail Number
N23820
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC03LA168

The airplane was in cruise flight when the engine began to vibrate and lose power. The pilot not able to maintain altitude, and performed a forced landing to a field. The airplane was equipped with a Pratt and Whitney R1340 radial engine. Examination of the engine revealed that approximately 50 percent of the number eight cylinder head was separated from it's respective cylinder barrel. Review of maintenance records revealed that the engine had been operated for about 930 hours since it was overhauled and about 20 hours since it's most recent annual inspection. At the time of the annual inspection, a mechanic reported he examined the cylinders and did not detect any cracks.

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of engine power due to a failure of the number eight cylinder.

Full Narrative

On July 26, 2003, about 0650 eastern daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301, N23820, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, after a loss of engine power near Rhinebeck, New York. The certificated commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight that departed the Green Acres Airport (1A1), Livingston, New York. The aerial application flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 137. The pilot reported that the airplane was in cruise flight at 1,200 feet msl, when the engine began to vibrate and lose power. The pilot was not able to maintain altitude, and performed a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the engine and right main landing gear separated from the airframe. In addition, the left wing was damaged. The airplane was equipped with a Pratt and Whitney R1340 radial engine. Examination of the engine by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that approximately 50 percent of the number eight cylinder head was separated from it's respective cylinder barrel. Review of maintenance records revealed that the engine had been operated for about 930 hours since it was overhauled on May 20, 1998. At the time of the overhaul, nine new cylinders were installed. The airplane had been operated for about 20 hours since it's most recent annual inspection, which was performed on April 8, 2003. At the time of the inspection, a mechanic reported that he examined the cylinders and did not detect any cracks.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:50 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAir Tractor AT-301
Tail NumberN23820
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney · R-1340 · Reciprocating · 600
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 40 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind140° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 61 F
Altimeter30.25 inHg
Observation Time11:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data