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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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August 26, 2010 · Air Tractor AT-401 · N4530L

Castroville, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 26, 2010
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Castroville, TX
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT-401
Tail Number
N4530L
Operator
Rustys Flying Service
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN10LA503

According to the pilot, he was maneuvering the airplane to reverse direction when the engine experienced a loss of power. The pilot leveled the airplane and attempted to restart the engine without success. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted several trees and bushes and was substantially damaged. A postaccident engine examination revealed that the torque sensor bearing failed resulting in the shutdown of the fuel system.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft power plant-Engine fuel and control-(general)-Damaged/degraded - C

Full Narrative

On August 26, 2010, approximately 1035 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-401, N4530L, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to a field near Castroville, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The aerial applications flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 without a flight plan. The commercial pilot was not injured. The local flight departed D'Hanis, Texas, approximately 1000. According to the written statement received from the pilot, he was pitching the airplane up to reverse direction when the "engine spooled down." The pilot leveled the airplane and attempted to restart the engine without success. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted several trees and bushes. Several ribs in the right wing were crushed aft and bent and the right wing spar was bent aft. According to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector who traveled to the scene, and was present during the engine examination, the torque sensor bearing failed resulting in the shutdown of the fuel system.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:35 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAir Tractor AT-401
Tail NumberN4530L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRustys Flying Service
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsGarrett · TFE331 · Turboprop · 665
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 36 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind45° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data