On May 18, 1996, an Air Tractor AT-301 (registration N4424S) was involved in an aviation accident near Griffithville, AR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: loss of engine oil (leak) for an undetermined reason, which resulted in oil starvation and a loss of engine power; and failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed during the emergency descent/landing phase, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent… This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a personal interview, a pilot reported that engine oil pressure fluctuated and was lost, leading to power loss. The airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and impacted the ground nose low in a right bank.
Accident Sequence
During a personal interview conducted by an FAA inspector, the pilot reported that the engine oil pressure began to fluctuate. Subsequently, oil pressure was lost and the engine lost power. The pilot added that during a descending left turn towards an open field, the airspeed slowed. An uncontrolled descent ensued, and the airplane rolled to the left, then to the right, prior to ground impact.
Physical Evidence
Physical evidence at the accident site confirmed that the airplane impacted the ground nose low in a right bank. Oil was found along the lower wing surfaces and covering the underside of the airframe towards the empennage and tail.
Post-Accident Examination
The source of the oil leak could not be determined during the post-accident examination of the engine.