Pilot Debrief

AIR TRACTOR INC AT-301 near Beaver, UT — 2009-01-15

Final reportWPR09LA085
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Date
2009-01-15
Location
Beaver, UT, USA
Aircraft
AIR TRACTOR INC AT-301
Registration
N3170C
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

A loss of engine power while maneuvering due to a sheared propeller blade's pitch change link. Contributing to the accident was lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

NTSB narrative

While maneuvering during an aerial application flight, the pilot noted that the engine began to vibrate and lose power. During the forced landing, the airplane nosed over on the snow-covered terrain. The airplane was recovered from the accident site and examined. No internal engine components were found to have malfunctioned. One of the propeller blade's pitch change pins was observed sheared.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the flight upon first signs of engine vibration.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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