On June 27, 1994, an Air Tractor AT-301 (registration N36484) operated by Greenhill Flying Company was involved in an aviation accident near Finley, TN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. FACTORS WERE WET AND SOFT TERRAIN. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft lost power during its third takeoff of the morning. The pilot aborted but could not stop on wet grass, resulting in a nose-over in a soft field. Post-recovery engine examination found no mechanical issues.
Event Overview
A pilot reported a loss of engine power during the third takeoff of the morning. The pilot initiated an aborted takeoff, but during the braking phase, the aircraft was unable to stop before rolling off the end of the runway due to wet grass conditions. The airplane subsequently nosed over after entering an adjacent soft field.
Examination and Outcome
After the aircraft was recovered from the field, an examination of the engine was conducted. The inspection did not disclose any mechanical problems. During a functional check, the engine operated normally through all power ranges, indicating no preexisting malfunction.