Air Tractor AT-301 accident near Colquitt, Georgia, April 20, 2000
On April 20, 2000 at about 11:30 pm local time, a Air Tractor AT-301, registered N8899S, was substantially damaged in an accident near Colquitt, Georgia (Unknown airport). It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 20, 2000 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- Colquitt, Georgia · Unknown · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Air Tractor AT-301
- Registration
- N8899S · no longer on the register · serial 0228
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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. 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. 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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 6,000 hours in all; 1,500 in this make and model; 6 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,500 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 11, 2000; 6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 5,000 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Garrett TPE-331-11 (turboprop); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Colquitt GA at 10:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 2,000 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 7:50 pm from DHN, 45 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.