Pilot Debrief

AIR TRACTOR INC AT-502B near Nauvoo, IL — 2013-07-15

Final reportCEN13LA473
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Date
2013-07-15
Location
Nauvoo, IL, USA
Aircraft
AIR TRACTOR INC AT-502B
Registration
N6113C
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

A fatigue failure of an engine compressor turbine blade, which resulted in extensive secondary engine damage and a complete loss of engine power.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, as he was setting up for the initial aerial application run, he heard a "loud explosion," at which point, the propeller stopped turning. Metallic debris emitted from the engine exhaust, which was followed by grinding noises coming from the engine. The pilot executed a forced landing to a soybean field, which resulted in the right main landing gear collapsing and the right wing sustaining substantial damage. A postaccident engine examination revealed that one compressor turbine blade separated from the disc as a result of fatigue. The remaining engine damage was due to the secondary impact of blade fragments during the failure sequence. Further examination of the initial compressor blade fracture surface was limited by the secondary damage sustained during the event.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the flight after hearing the loud explosion.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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