Pilot Debrief

AIR TRACTOR INC AT 301 near Hessmer, LA — 2014-05-05

Final reportCEN14LA229
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Date
2014-05-05
Location
Hessmer, LA, USA
Aircraft
AIR TRACTOR INC AT 301
Registration
N7309Z
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because a full examination of the engine could not be performed.

NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that the radial engine lost power as he approached a rice field that he was going to spray; he made a forced landing on a levee. The main landing gear hit a soft spot during the landing and the airplane veered off the road into a field, where it flipped inverted. Although the pilot suspected the blower had failed, the blower was not accessible for examination and no discrepancies were noted in the airplane's maintenance logbooks. The insurance company totaled the airplane and no further examination of the engine could be performed; accordingly, the reason for the loss of power could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have returned to the airstrip after engine power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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