On August 2, 1994, an Air Tractor AT-401 (registration N45297) operated by Evans Flying Service was involved in an aviation accident near Mcgehee, AR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of a bearing in the blower section, which caused the engine to seize. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
After completing aerial application work, the aircraft suffered a total loss of engine power at 700 ft AGL. An emergency descent was made to a cotton turn row, where the airplane ground looped during landing roll. Examination revealed a bearing failure in the blower section caused the engine to seize.
Sequence of Events
The flight involved aerial application work at one location. After completing that work, the airplane was in cruise flight at 700 feet above ground level (AGL) en route to another location when a total loss of engine power occurred. The pilot executed an emergency descent and approach to a cotton turn row. During the landing roll on the rough turn row surface, the airplane ground looped.
Engine Examination
Post-accident examination of the engine revealed that a bearing in the blower section had failed. This failure caused the engine to seize, resulting in the total loss of power.
Probable cause
Failure of a bearing in the blower section, which caused the engine to seize.