Air Tractor INC AT-301 accident near Ralls, Texas, August 29, 2012
On August 29, 2012 at about 8:30 pm local time, a Air Tractor INC AT-301, registered N23960, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Ralls, Texas. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power due to a fatigue failure of the rocker arm journal casting of the rocker arm cap.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 29, 2012 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Ralls, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Air Tractor INC AT-301 · all AT-301s on the register
- Registration
- N23960 · no longer on the register · serial 301-0448
- 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 pilot reported that, while conducting aerial application operations, the engine sputtered and then experienced a complete loss of power. During the forced landing, the airplane nosed over and then came to rest inverted. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed a fatigue failure of the rocker arm journal casting of the rocker arm cap, which resulted in the complete separation of the rocker arm and failure of the exhaust valve.
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
What happened, in order
- Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Nose over/nose down during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng cyl section › Fatigue/wear/corrosion
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 702 hours in all; 239 in this make and model; 218 in the last 90 days; 50 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: May 21, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 10,294 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 5,000 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W R-1340 AN-1 (piston); 10,239 hours total
- Operator: Beta AG INC
The flight
- Departed from: 8F3 Crosbyton TX at 8:15 pm
- Destination: 8F3 Crosbyton TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 20,000 ft
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from KLBB, 26 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.