How many accidents has the Air Tractor AT-401 had?

The NTSB has recorded 73 events involving the Air Tractor AT-401: 5 fatal, 7 serious, 17 minor injuries, and 44 incidents with no injuries.

Is the Air Tractor AT-401 a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The Air Tractor AT-401 has 73 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

Air Tractor AT-401 Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 73 events recorded from 1989 to 2014.

All Events

Incidents

Minor

Serious

Fatal (5 fatalities)

Date	Location	Reg#	Severity	Damage	Probable Cause
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.
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.
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.
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 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 13, 2000	RIPLEY, CA	N4508Y	Incident	substantial	A loss of engine power due to the separation of a connecting rod from the crankshaft.
Apr 22, 2000	LAWRENCEBURG, TN	N6096P	Incident	substantial	The loss of engine power due to a stuck exhaust valve that resulted in the collision with a tree while maneuvering for the forced landing.
Jan 25, 2000	RAYVILLE, LA	N91968	Incident	substantial	The loss of engine power due to a crack in the #6 cylinder. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Sep 13, 1999	CALEDONIA, MS	N45205	Incident	substantial	The failure of the fuel control gear train due to oil contamination. A factor was Inadequate maintenance.
Aug 12, 1999	HUMPHREY, AR	N1031Q	Incident	substantial	Fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's failure to refuel the airplane.
Aug 02, 1999	MOORE HAVEN, FL	N15585	Incident	substantial	The pilot exceeding the gross takeoff weight which reduced the climb capability and subsequent in-flight collision with terrain. Contributing to the … The pilot exceeding the gross takeoff weight which reduced the climb capability and subsequent in-flight collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the high temperature and the pilot's failure to use aircraft performance data for the weather conditions.
May 27, 1999	JEROME, ID	N6024M	Incident	substantial	Fuel exhaustion. Carburetor contamination and rough terrain were factors.
Aug 28, 1998	N. OTTAWA TWP., MN	N4543F	Incident	destroyed	A loss of engine power due to a worn piston ring. A related factor was the owner exceeded the manufacturer's recommended engine overhaul.
May 24, 1998	RICH, MS	N1008Y	Incident	substantial	a loss of engine power for an undetermined reason, resulting in a forced landing and subsequent impact with rough terrain.

Disclaimer: This data is sourced from the NTSB Aviation Accident Database. NTSB events reflect reported accidents and incidents and do not necessarily indicate a defect in the aircraft type. Many events involve pilot error, weather conditions, maintenance issues, or other factors unrelated to the aircraft design. This information is provided for research purposes only — consult official NTSB reports for complete details.

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Data source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database · About our data

Air Tractor AT-401 Safety Record

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