On November 7, 2001, an Air Tractor AT-301 (registration N2316X) operated by Brown Flying Service, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Anton, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The total loss of engine power while maneuvering due to a cracked cylinder, which resulted in a forced landing. A factor was lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During an agricultural application flight, the engine lost power, forcing a landing in a field. The aircraft nosed over after contacting a dirt terrace during the landing roll. Post-accident examination revealed a crack in the #5 cylinder.
Accident Description
The pilot had been applying chemical to a field for approximately 20 minutes when the engine began to slowly lose power. The pilot subsequently abandoned the spray flight and initiated a return flight to the base airport. While en route back to the airport, the engine lost total power, and the pilot executed a forced landing to a field.
Landing and Post-Impact
During the landing roll, the airplane contacted a dirt terrace and nosed over, coming to rest inverted.
Engine Examination
Post-accident examination of the engine revealed that the #5 cylinder displayed a crack that initiated at one spark plug, continued over the cylinder head, and ended at the second spark plug. The crack went through the entire thickness of the cylinder's casting.