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July 10, 2020 · Air Tractor AT502 B · N61315

Dalhart, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 10, 2020
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Dalhart, TX
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT502 B (1995)
Tail Number
N61315
Operator
Bailey Flying Service
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN20LA279

The operator reported that the pilot was returning to the airport after completing an aerial application when the engine lost power. The pilot executed a forced landing to a pasture. An engine examination revealed that the fuel control unit (FCU) input drive shaft would not rotate. Further examination established that the FCU input drive spool bearing had failed; however, the cause of the bearing failure could not be determined. Maintenance records indicated that the FCU was within the inspection and overhaul requirements recommended by the manufacturer.

NTSB Probable Cause

Environmental issues-Physical environment-Terrain-Rough terrain-Contributed to outcome

Full Narrative

On July 10, 2020, about 1455 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502B airplane, N61315, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Dalhart, Texas. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 flight. The operator reported that the pilot was returning to the airport after completing an aerial application when the engine lost power. The pilot executed a forced landing to a pasture. Both wings sustained substantial damage during the landing. An engine examination revealed that the fuel control unit (FCU) input drive shaft would not rotate. Further examination established that the FCU input drive spool bearing had failed; however, the cause of the bearing failure could not be determined. The FCU was overhauled in July 2016. The overhaul facility reported that the spool bearing was replaced at that time. The airplane maintenance records do not include a notation as to when the FCU was installed on the engine. As a result, the exact time in service was not determined. However, the engine accumulated about 594 hours since December 2016. The FCU manufacturer recommended an inspection every 3,000 hours and an overhaul every 6,000 hours time-in-service. Both the spool and drive bearings are required to be replaced at those intervals.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:55 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAir Tractor AT502 B
Tail NumberN61315
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBailey Flying Service
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney · PT6A-34 · Turboprop · 750
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 49 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind40° @ 12 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter30.12 inHg
Observation Time19:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data