Air Tractor AT802 N801BF accident near Columbus, Mississippi

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power control for undetermined reasons.

NTSB analysis

According to the pilot, during a chemical application pass over a field, he saw that the engine torque "had crept up." He attempted to reduce engine torque but noticed that the power lever "felt stuck." Shortly thereafter, he again tried to move the power lever. When it would not move, he increased pressure and it "broke free." The engine power decreased to idle, and the pilot's subsequent power lever inputs had no effect. The pilot then performed a forced landing, during which the left wing impacted a tree and the airplane cartwheeled before coming to rest upright on its landing gear, resulting in substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage.

A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Due to the severity of the damage to the forward section of the airplane, the cause for the momentary binding and subsequent loss of engine power control could not be established.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN19LA334 for the full record.