N8899S

On April 20, 2000, at 1530 eastern daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301, N8899S, collided with the ground while maneuvering for a forced landing near Colquitt, Georgia. The aerial application flight was operated by the commercial pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 137 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the pilot was not injured. The flight departed time from the staging area in Colquitt, Georgia, at 1500.

The accident occurred as the pilot started his initial departure for the spraying operation. According to the pilot, when full throttle was applied for takeoff, the engine was only able to generate 63% of torque. After 1500 feet of ground roll the pilot elected to abort the takeoff. The airplane collided with a fence on the departure end of the runway.

The examination of the airplane showed that there were approximately 40 gallons of fuel onboard. The examination also revealed that the fuel system filters were not obstructed. During the engine examination, the compressor and power sections rotated freely and were not obstructed. Examination of the engine assembly failed to disclose any obvious mechanical malfunction or component failure. The engine examination revealed that the fuel control and fuel pump assembly was displaced from the normally installed position. The propeller governor was torn from the engine assembly.

According to the pilot, the engine continued to produce power throughout the entire sequence of the attempted takeoff. He also stated that the normal takeoff power required for takeoff is 75% torque. The engine never developed normal takeoff torque during this attempted takeoff.