Accident Air Tractor AT-301 N3655Z, Friday 19 May 1995

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Date:	Friday 19 May 1995
Time:	16:53 LT
Type:	Air Tractor AT-301
Owner/operator:	Lindsey Ag-air Inc.
Registration:	N3655Z
MSN:	301-0299
Year of manufacture:	1980
Engine model:	P&W R-1340-AN1
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Caldwell, AR - United States of America
Phase:	Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.)
Nature:	Agricultural
Departure airport:	Colt, AR (KPVT)
Destination airport:
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
THE PILOT COMPLETED THE FIRST SWATH AND INITIATED A CLIMB TO REVERSE DIRECTION. WHILE THE AIRPLANE WAS IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE AT ABOUT 200 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. DURING THE FORCED LANDING TO A WHEAT FIELD, THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT WING AND THE EMPENNAGE. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE BY AN FAA INSPECTOR REVEALED A CRACK IN THE #4 CYLINDER.

Probable Cause: THE LOSS OF POWER DUE TO A CRACK IN THE #4 CYLINDER. FACTORS WERE THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING AND PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT NOT POSSIBLE.

Accident investigation: