Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

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.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

June 9, 2013 · Air Tractor AT-301 · N4421S

Farnsworth, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 9, 2013
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Farnsworth, TX
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT-301
Tail Number
N4421S
Operator
Terhune Flying Service
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN13LA341

The pilot of the agricultural airplane reported that, as he was beginning a spray pass, the airplane sustained a partial loss of engine power. He attempted to dump his chemical load but was unable to maintain altitude and executed a forced landing to a field. He said that the engine continued to run smoothly but at a reduced power setting during the event. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no anomalies that would explain the partial loss of engine power. The temperature and dew point were within a range of susceptibility for carburetor icing during glide and cruise power settings. However, the sudden reduction of power with the engine continuing to run smoothly described by the pilot was not consistent with the gradual reduction in power and rough running typically associated with carburetor icing.

NTSB Probable Cause

The partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because the postaccident engine examination revealed no anomalies.

Full Narrative

On June 8, 2013, about 1900 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301 airplane, N4421S, sustained substantial damage to its right wing and fuselage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Farnsworth, Texas. The pilot was not injured. The aircraft was registered to an individual and operated by Terhune Flying Service under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operated on a flight plan. The local flight originated from a private airstrip near the accident site. The pilot reported that he had flown two flights on the morning of the accident, and had to stop flight operations due to adverse weather. When the weather conditions improved he again began flight operations. The accident flight was the first flight after resuming flight operations. He reported that while starting his first spray pass, the engine lost partial power and he was unable to maintain altitude. He attempted to dump his load of chemical but the airplane continued to descend and the pilot attempted to land in a field. During the ensuing forced landing, the right main landing gear collapsed and the airplane came to rest on its nose and right wing. The pilot reported that during the event, the engine continued to run smoothly but at a reduced power output that wasn't sufficient to maintain altitude. Postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would explain the partial loss of engine power. The engine was intact with no external evidence of pre-impact damage. Further examination revealed no damage to pistons, cylinders, or valves and no anomalies were noted with regard to the fuel system. The temperature and dew point recorded at a nearby airport about the time of the accident were 26 degrees Celsius and 15 degrees Celsius, respectively. According to a carburetor icing probability chart, the recorded temperature and dew point were in the range of susceptibility for carburetor icing during glide and cruise power settings.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAir Tractor AT-301
Tail NumberN4421S
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorTerhune Flying Service
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney · R1340 AN-1 · Reciprocating · 600
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 34 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 20 kt, gusting 25 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59
Altimeter29.95 inHg
Observation Time23:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data