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Casualties unknown

Engine Failure Forces Agricultural Flight Emergency Landing in Ditch (N7316L)

Fort Pierce, FL, US

On April 17, 1993, an Air Tractor AT-401 (registration N7316L) operated by Southeastern Aircraft was involved in an aviation accident near Fort Pierce, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: FAILURE OF THE NO. 2 CYLINDER IN FATIGUE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS, OVER UNSUITABLE TERRAIN. THE LACK OF SUITALE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING WAS A FACTOR. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

An agricultural aircraft experienced engine roughness, smoke, and power loss en route to a spraying field. The pilot attempted to return but executed a forced landing in a drainage ditch, where the aircraft struck a sprinkler system and caught fire.

Incident

An agricultural flight departed from an airstrip and was en route to spray a field when the engine began to run rough, emit smoke, and lose power. The pilot attempted to return to the airstrip, but the engine did not produce adequate power. The pilot then initiated a forced landing to a drainage ditch. During the landing, the airplane struck a sprinkler system and burst into flames.

Investigation

Post-accident examination revealed that the No. 2 cylinder was cracked across the dome from sparkplug hole to sparkplug hole. No records were found to determine the service history of the cylinder.

Engine failure

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 17 Apr 1993 Air Tractor AT-401 accident near Fort Pierce, FL?

An agricultural aircraft experienced engine roughness, smoke, and power loss en route to a spraying field. The pilot attempted to return but executed a forced landing in a drainage ditch, where the aircraft struck a sprinkler system and caught fire.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 17 Apr 1993 involved an Air Tractor AT-401, registration N7316L, operated by Southeastern Aircraft, at Fort Pierce, FL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

FAILURE OF THE NO. 2 CYLINDER IN FATIGUE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS, OVER UNSUITABLE TERRAIN. THE LACK OF SUITALE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING WAS A FACTOR.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X12197. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.