Air Tractor AT-301 accident near Holcomb, Kansas, July 13, 2006
On July 13, 2006 at about 2:40 pm local time, a Air Tractor AT-301, registered N4422S, was substantially damaged in an accident near Holcomb, Kansas. 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
the partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 13, 2006 · about 2:40 pm local time
- Place
- Holcomb, Kansas · 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
- N4422S · registry record · serial 301-0082
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Prior to departure from the private asphalt airstrip, the airplane contained 50 gallons of fuel and 150 gallons of chemical. Approximately 70 feet above ground level (agl) during initial takeoff climb, the engine "started to miss and backfire, causing a loss of climb power." Due to power lines in the airplane's flight path, the pilot reduced throttle, extended full flaps, and initiated a forced landing to a field. During the forced landing, the airplane "landed fast," and impacted soft, rolling terrain. The magnetos were functionally tested and mechanical continuity throughout the engine was confirmed. The reason for the partial loss of engine power was not determined.
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
- Flight time: 2,900 hours in all; 100 in this make and model; 450 in the last 90 days; 200 in the last 30 days; 2,812 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 1, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,045 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 1, 2006; 16 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,300 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN-1 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Holcomb KS at 2:40 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 3,000 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.80 inHg
- Observation at 2:30 pm from GCK, 15 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.