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Aircraft Noses Over During Forced Landing After Engine Power Loss (N1008Q)

Warsaw, IL, US

On May 12, 2001, an Air Tractor AT-401 (registration N1008Q) was involved in an aviation accident near Warsaw, IL. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of the rocker shaft housing on the #4 cylinder, resulting in the exhaust valve not opening and backfiring into the induction system, which caused the engine to fail. 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 airplane sustained substantial damage after nosing over during a forced landing following an in-flight loss of engine power. The pilot reported no injuries. Investigation revealed a broken rocker shaft housing on the #4 cylinder caused the engine failure.

Incident Overview

An airplane experienced a loss of engine power during an agricultural spraying operation, resulting in a forced landing that caused the aircraft to nose over. The pilot reported no injuries.

Pilot Statement

The pilot stated that at approximately 10:30 AM, as the spraying operation was nearing completion, while pulling out of the field being sprayed, the engine made a bang, started running very rough, and backfired. Within a couple of seconds, the engine had lost all power and died. The pilot landed in a field that happened to be very soft and sandy. The aircraft rolled approximately 100 feet on its wheels before nosing over onto its back.

Investigation Findings

After further investigation, it was determined that a rocker shaft housing had broken on the #4 cylinder. As a result, the exhaust valve was not opening. When the intake valve opened, it created backfiring into the induction system, causing the engine to fail.

Damage

The airplane sustained substantial damage from the forced landing and nosed-over event.

Probable cause

Failure of the rocker shaft housing on the #4 cylinder, resulting in the exhaust valve not opening and backfiring into the induction system, which caused the engine to fail.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 12 May 2001 Air Tractor AT-401 accident near Warsaw, IL?

An airplane sustained substantial damage after nosing over during a forced landing following an in-flight loss of engine power. The pilot reported no injuries. Investigation revealed a broken rocker shaft housing on the #4 cylinder caused the engine failure.

Were there any fatalities in the 12 May 2001 Air Tractor AT-401 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 12 May 2001 involved an Air Tractor AT-401, registration N1008Q, at Warsaw, IL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Failure of the rocker shaft housing on the #4 cylinder, resulting in the exhaust valve not opening and backfiring into the induction system, which caused the engine to fail.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20010517X00945. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.