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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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September 27, 2019 · Air Tractor AT802 A · N801BF

Columbus, MS

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 27, 2019
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Columbus, MS
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT802 A (2017)
Tail Number
N801BF
Operator
Brignac Flying Service
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN19LA334

According to the pilot, during a chemical application pass over a field, he saw that the engine torque "had crept up." He attempted to reduce engine torque but noticed that the power lever "felt stuck." Shortly thereafter, he again tried to move the power lever. When it would not move, he increased pressure and it "broke free." The engine power decreased to idle, and the pilot's subsequent power lever inputs had no effect. The pilot then performed a forced landing, during which the left wing impacted a tree and the airplane cartwheeled before coming to rest upright on its landing gear, resulting in substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Due to the severity of the damage to the forward section of the airplane, the cause for the momentary binding and subsequent loss of engine power control could not be established.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft power plant-Engine controls-(general)-Not specified - C

Full Narrative

On September 27, 2019, about 1045 eastern daylight time, an Air Tractor AT802 airplane, N801BF, sustained substantial damage during an impact with terrain following a partial loss of engine power near Columbus, Mississippi. The airplane was registered to and operated by Brignac Flying Service as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The commercial pilot sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. According to the pilot, during a chemical application pass over a field from north to south, he noticed the engine torque "had crept up." As he departed the field to the south, he attempted to reduce engine torque, but noticed the power lever "felt stuck." Since there was more room on the north end of the field to maneuver, he left the power lever where it was and re-entered the field. Following the subsequent pass from south to north, he pulled up and again tried to move the power lever. When it would not move, he increased pressure and it "broke free." The engine then went uncommanded to idle power. He attempted to increase the power but moving the power lever had no effect on the engine. During the forced landing, the left wing impacted a tree and the airplane cartwheeled prior to coming to rest on its landing gear, upright. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, and tail section. A post-accident examination of the airframe and engine found no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The engine was disassembled and contained signatures consistent with a low power setting. Engine control continuity was established from the cockpit to the engine with no binding. During the examination of the fuel control unit, the power lever and condition lever shaft could not be easily moved by hand as a result of damage sustained during the impact. The fuel control unit was disassembled; however, the cause of the binding was not found. No anomalies were observed.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:45 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedUnknown
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAir Tractor AT802 A
Tail NumberN801BF
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBrignac Flying Service
Operating RulePart 137
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney · PT6A-65AG · Turboprop
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 58 · Second Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind140° @ 11 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2100 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter30.09 inHg
Observation Time13:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data