Air Tractor Inc AT-401 N9192E accident near Rayville, Louisiana

Probable cause

A loss of engine power for a reason that could not be determined based on available information.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that during an agricultural spray pass the engine began to run abnormally. As he climbed over powerlines and trees, he looked for a place to land. The engine subsequently stopped producing any power. During the event, the engine started and stopped producing power two or three times. After touching down in a field, the airplane went over an embankment, the right wing struck an irrigation unit, and the airplane ultimately nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to both wings.

The recovery crew reported that there was only a trace of fuel recovered from the airplane. However, the pilot’s son refuted this information, stating that fuel was draining from the airplane’s right fuel tank vent immediately after the accident and that the recovery crew drained more than 60 gallons of fuel from the airplane when it was recovered.

Postaccident examination of the airplane, including the engine and airframe fuel system, revealed no anomalies.

Based on the available information, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN22LA157 for the full record.