On September 11, 1987, an Air Tractor AT301 (registration N23600) operated by Thomas R.summersill,inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Belle Glade, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of the internal supercharger. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot cleaning his hopper tank experienced an engine failure on approach, landing on a road. The aircraft struck a hidden drum, spun, flipped, and came to rest inverted in a canal. Post-crash examination found the failure of the internal supercharger.
Accident Overview
During an approach to land, the pilot of an aircraft experienced an engine failure. The pilot had been spraying water to clean out the hopper tank prior to the incident. Unable to reach the airstrip, the pilot executed a landing on a road.
Landing and Aftermath
During the landing rollout on the road, the aircraft struck a hidden 55-gallon drum with the right wing tip. This impact caused the aircraft to spin approximately 60 degrees to the right. Subsequently, the aircraft flipped over and came to rest inverted in a canal alongside the road.
Post-Crash Examination
A post-crash examination of the engine revealed that the loss of power was due to the failure of the internal supercharger. No other causes or contributing factors are stated in the investigation report.