Air Tractor AT-401 Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 73 events recorded from 1989 to 2014.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 19, 2014 | Wray, CO | N4542W | Minor | substantial |
A loss of the No. 1 cylinder’s compression due to a stuck exhaust valve caused by a lack of sufficient valve clearance, which resulted in a loss of en…A loss of the No. 1 cylinder’s compression due to a stuck exhaust valve caused by a lack of sufficient valve clearance, which resulted in a loss of engine power and a forced landing. Contributing to the loss of engine power were the worn intake and exhaust valves in cylinders No. 3 and 4. |
| Aug 12, 2008 | Ida Grove, IA | N45029 | Incident | substantial |
A failure of the turbocharger blower which resulted in the partial loss of power. Factors associated with the accident were the low altitude of the a…A failure of the turbocharger blower which resulted in the partial loss of power. Factors associated with the accident were the low altitude of the airplane and the embankment. |
| Jul 26, 2008 | Lake View, IA | N9193F | Minor | substantial | The pilot not obtaining/maintaining altitude/clearance from the power line while performing an aerial application maneuver. |
| Dec 06, 2007 | Soledad, CA | N6024M | Serious (1) | destroyed |
The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate clearance from mountainous terrain while maneuvering during an aerial application mission. Contributing t…The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate clearance from mountainous terrain while maneuvering during an aerial application mission. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's diverted attention inside the cockpit. |
| Jun 06, 2007 | Oak Grove, LA | N92PK | Incident | substantial |
A complete loss of power due to failure of the impeller drive gear train and displacement of the blower spring drive mechanism, which resulted in seiz…A complete loss of power due to failure of the impeller drive gear train and displacement of the blower spring drive mechanism, which resulted in seizure of the propeller shaft/crankshaft. Also causal was the failure of the phenolic separator bracket of the rear impeller support bearing for undetermined reasons. A factor was the none suitable terrain for the forced landing. |
| Jun 03, 2006 | Victoria, TX | N9190B | Incident | substantial | The pilot's delay in aborting the takeoff which resulted in an overrun. A contributing factor was the unfavorable wind. |
| Jun 01, 2006 | Garden City, TX | N7318C | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's improper in-flight planning resulting in the loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable …The pilot's improper in-flight planning resulting in the loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. |
| Aug 19, 2005 | Winnie, TX | N4545W | Incident | minor | The loss of engine power due to the failure of the second-stage turbine wheel as a result of low cycle fatigue. |
| Feb 04, 2005 | Calexico, CA | N4530L | Incident | substantial | a loss of directional control due to a jammed rudder pedal, which prevented the pilot from exercising full rudder control authority. |
| Sep 04, 2004 | Bainbridge, GA | N3047A | Fatal (1) | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during an abrupt maneuver which resulted in a stall and collision with the ground. |
| Jul 10, 2004 | Winnsboro, LA | N10061 | Incident | substantial | The pilot's mismanagement of fuel resulting in fuel starvation. A contributing factor was the ditch. |
| Jun 23, 2004 | Britton, SD | N1013N | Incident | substantial |
The loss of engine power due to a stuck exhaust valve and the unsuitable terrain encountered during the forced landing. A factor to the accident was …The loss of engine power due to a stuck exhaust valve and the unsuitable terrain encountered during the forced landing. A factor to the accident was the soft terrain condition. |
| May 19, 2004 | San Angelo, TX | N4508Y | Incident | destroyed | The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the soft terrain encountered during the aborted takeoff. |
| Mar 31, 2003 | Knox, IN | N45297 | Serious (1) | substantial |
A loss of engine power due to oil starvation as a result of the failure of the master rod bearing. Contributing factors were the tree line at the ed…A loss of engine power due to oil starvation as a result of the failure of the master rod bearing. Contributing factors were the tree line at the edge of the field, and the unsuitable terrain. |
| Jan 14, 2003 | Alamo, TX | N1537R | Serious (1) | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in a stall. Low altitude flight is a contributing factor. |
| Aug 30, 2002 | Hearne, TX | N9193Y | Minor | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with a pump rig while maneuvering during an aerial application flight. A factor was the object. |
| Jul 22, 2002 | Pratt, KS | N60747 | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance. A factor was low altitude flight. |
| Nov 30, 2001 | Las Vegas, NV | N9186J | Incident | substantial |
the failure of the AT-401 pilot to maintain clearance with the AT-402 airplane during landing. Contributing factors were the unreliable communication…the failure of the AT-401 pilot to maintain clearance with the AT-402 airplane during landing. Contributing factors were the unreliable communication radio in the AT-401, the AT-401 pilot's continued flight with known communication radio problems, and the glare of the sun. |
| Aug 28, 2001 | Batesville, MS | N91922 | Minor | destroyed | The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for an emergency landing. |
| Aug 09, 2001 | Grand Coteau, LA | N10140 | Incident | substantial |
the loss of engine power while maneuvering, which resulted from a fractured #4 cylinder head at the exhaust valve rocker arm boss. A contributing fac…the loss of engine power while maneuvering, which resulted from a fractured #4 cylinder head at the exhaust valve rocker arm boss. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. |
| Jul 27, 2001 | Kenesaw, NE | N4553K | Incident | minor |
The propeller blade fatigue leading to its tip separating during an aerial application. Factors were no suitable terrain for an emergency landing, hi…The propeller blade fatigue leading to its tip separating during an aerial application. Factors were no suitable terrain for an emergency landing, high vegetation, and soft terrain encountered during the emergency landing. |
| Jul 02, 2001 | Ellinwood, KS | N4549E | Incident | substantial | The pilot failed to see and avoid the guy wire during an aerial application flight. A factor associated with the accident was the guy wire. |
| May 12, 2001 | Warsaw, IL | N1008Q | Incident | substantial |
the rocker assembly failure during low level maneuvering. Factors were the soft and sandy terrain and the unsuitable terrain the pilot encountered dur…the rocker assembly failure during low level maneuvering. Factors were the soft and sandy terrain and the unsuitable terrain the pilot encountered during the forced landing. |
| Aug 26, 2000 | SUPERIOR, NE | N91842 | Incident | destroyed | the cracked number 7 cylinder exhaust valve. A factor relating to this accident was the tree. |
| Jul 18, 2000 | PANHANDLE, TX | N6055W | Fatal (1) | destroyed | The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in a stall. |