Accident Overview
On March 26, 2022, at approximately 1614 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-401, registration N9192E, was substantially damaged in an accident near Rayville, Louisiana. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was being operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight.
Pilot Account
The pilot reported that while making the final agricultural spray passes on a field, the engine began to “spit and sputter and miss.” He exited the field and climbed over trees and power transmission lines when the engine again started running abnormally. After assessing the area for a safe landing, the engine stopped producing power. The engine restarted and stopped two or three times as he maneuvered for landing. After touching down in a field, the airplane went over an embankment alongside a water-filled ditch. Upon touching down on the opposite side of the ditch, the right wing struck an irrigation unit, the airplane turned sideways, and then nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to both wings.
During a telephone interview, the pilot stated that when the engine lost power, he cycled the magnetos, actuated the wobble pump, and performed other troubleshooting checks, but had little time. He noted that the engine acted like it ran out of fuel, but he had just fueled before the accident load. He observed that there was fuel on board, that the airplane had fuel pressure, and that he had checked the magnetos. He mentioned that this was the 14th load of the day and the airplane was running well. The pretakeoff magneto check showed a 50 rpm drop on one magneto and 60 on the other. When the engine stopped producing power, it “just quit and there wasn’t anything [he] could do about it.” He reiterated that they had been fueling the airplane every 2 loads and had fueled just before the accident load.
Postaccident Examination
Postaccident examination confirmed engine rotation and valvetrain continuity. All cylinders except for the No. 8 cylinder produced suction and compression during propeller rotation. Removal of the No. 8 cylinder did not reveal any anomalies. Examination of the carburetor and airplane fuel system did not reveal any anomalies, and all engine controls were operational. Flight control continuity was confirmed.
Fuel Observations
The recovery crew reported that only a trace of fuel was removed from the airplane when it was recovered from the accident site. The pilot’s son, who was present immediately after the accident, reported that fuel was draining from the right-wing tank vent. He used a pair of pliers to pinch the tube shut and taped it. He also reported that during recovery, the recovery crew had three 30-gallon white plastic drums. After draining fuel, two of the drums were full and the third was partially full.