N8770S

On November 9, 1998, about 1645 eastern standard time, an Air Tractor AT-301, N8770S, collided with a fence post during an attempted go around, at Hilde Ag Strip near Statesboro, Georgia. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. There were no injuries to the commercial pilot, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight departed the same airstrip in Statesboro, Georgia, at 1615.

The pilot stated that he was on an approach to land at the staging airstrip when he noticed that the ground grew had positioned another airplane 2000 feet down the runway. The pilot said that his landing airspeed was a little fast, so to assure a safe clearance, he elected to execute a go-around. When the pilot advanced the throttle for the go-around, the engine spit and sputtered, and lost power. As the pilot maneuvered for a forced landing, the left wing collided with a fence post. The airplane subsequently yawed left, slid on the ground, and collided with trees on the departure end of the extended runway center line.

The pilot also stated that he did not apply carburetor heat unless temperatures were 70 degrees Fahrenheit or below. However, according to the Air Tractor Flight Manual, during the approach and landing, the pilot is instructed to apply carburetor heat when weather conditions are favorable for the formation of carburetor ice.

During the examination of the engine, the spark plugs were removed from the engine and found to be sooted. It was stated by the Federal Aviation Administration inspector that the spark plugs were re-installed in the engine and the engine was operated at a low power setting.

A review of the weather data disclosed that conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor icing.