On July 2, 1986, an Air Tractor AT301 (registration N78MH) operated by Scott Hagednmacher was involved in an aviation accident near Lake City, AR. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A pilot performing a fertilizer application lost power shortly after takeoff, leading to a forced landing in a rice field. The aircraft, using automotive fuel, rolled after impact. No mechanical failure was found.
Incident Overview
An agricultural aircraft departed the runway normally to fertilize a nearby field. According to the pilot-in-command, the aircraft lost power shortly into the climb, necessitating an off-airport forced landing. The pilot was unable to dump the load of fertilizer aboard before impact in a rice field.
Impact and Post-Crash Events
The aircraft proceeded to roll upon impact in the field. No additional details regarding the extent of damage or injuries were provided.
Engine and Fuel
The aircraft's engine was using automotive fuel (auto gas). The pilot stated that he had no previous problem with the use of auto gas in this aircraft.
Investigation Findings
A teardown inspection of the aircraft engine did not reveal any mechanical failure mode. Investigators could not ascertain if the fuel was contaminated before impact. No probable cause was determined.