Air Tractor AT802 accident near Northport, Washington, August 14, 2018
On August 14, 2018 at about 10:00 pm local time, a 2014 Air Tractor AT802, registered N397AS, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Northport, Washington. It was a public-use flight (local) under public-use (government) rules. 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power during a climb due to an accumulation of molten environmental particles, the source of which could not be determined based on the available evidence, which resulted in a forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 14, 2018 · about 10:00 pm local time
- Place
- Northport, Washington · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Air Tractor AT802 A, built 2014
- Registration
- N397AS · no longer on the register · serial 802A-0563
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Public-use flight (local) · public-use (government) rules
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The accident airplane was one of three public aircraft that were supporting firefighting operations. The three airplanes had made four successful water drops and had just scooped water from a river to make a fifth drop. The airplanes were in a climb en route to the drop location when the pilot of the accident airplane heard a “loud bang” followed by a total loss of engine power. The pilot made a forced landing to treetops in a heavily forested area. During the on-site examination, a coat of oil was observed on the cowling and one of the wings. Damage was also observed to the engine. The engine examination revealed that a second-stage power turbine blade exhibited fatigue signatures, and molten debris was identified throughout the engine. The debris was subsequently identified as environmental particles, but the source of the debris was not determined from the available evidence for this investigation. The loss of engine power was likely due to the accumulation of foreign melted environmental debris on the engine’s hot section components, which resulted in the first- and second-stage power turbine blades fracturing from tensile overload.
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
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
- Loss of engine power (total) during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (turbine/turboprop) › Turbine section › Failure
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Debris/dirt/foreign object › Effect on equipment
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 7,658 hours in all; 52 in this make and model
- Last flight review: April 14, 2018
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 559.1 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, November 17, 2017
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pw Canada PT6A-67F (turboprop); 559 hours total
- Operator: Air Spray USA, Inc.
The flight
- Departed from: DEW Deer Park WA at 7:00 pm
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 41°F (5°C)
- Altimeter: 29.99 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 pm from KDEW, 65 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KDEW 142053Z AUTO 19004KT 4SM HZ CLR 28/05 A2999 RMK AO2 SLP145 T02780050 58014 $=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
10 documents, released by the NTSB on September 13, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Memorandum (FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Pwc Accident Report | PDF, 61 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Pwc Factual Notes | PDF, 19 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Pwc Chemical Analysis Report | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Pwc Borescope of Sister Ship | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation - Usfs | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 8 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 10 | Photos | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.