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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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August 7, 2022 · Air Tractor AT-301 · N36542

Circle, MT

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 7, 2022
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Circle, MT
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT-301 (1980)
Tail Number
N36542
Operator
Harris Spraying
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR22LA293

The pilot reported that, following an aerial application on field, he was returning to a private [air]strip, when the engine began to run rough and lost power at an altitude of about 100 ft above ground level. The pilot initiated a forced landing to a wheat field, however, the airplane impacted terrain about 75 ft short of the field, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot added that carburetor ice “was not even considered at the time of power loss” and that the conditions favorable to carburetor ice were not taken into account. Carburetor heat was not used. Weather conditions reported at the time of the accident were conducive for serious carburetor icing at cruise power.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power due to carburetor ice. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to use carburetor heat.

Full Narrative

The pilot reported that, following an aerial application on field, he was returning to a private [air]strip, when the engine began to run rough and lost power at an altitude of about 100 ft above ground level. The pilot initiated a forced landing to a wheat field, however, the airplane impacted terrain about 75 ft short of the field, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot added that carburetor ice “was not even considered at the time of power loss” and that the conditions favorable to carburetor ice were not taken into account. Carburetor heat was not used. Weather conditions reported at the time of the accident were conducive for serious carburetor icing at cruise power.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:49 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAir Tractor AT-301
Tail NumberN36542
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHarris Spraying
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R1340 AN-1 · Reciprocating · 600
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 80 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 3 kt
CeilingOvercast 4400 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57 F / 54 F
Altimeter30.16 inHg
Observation Time08:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data