| Crash location | Unknown |
| Nearest city | Pearsall, TX
28.892194°N, 99.095033°W |
| Tail number | N4532F |
|---|---|
| Accident date | 24 Aug 2017 |
| Aircraft type | Air Tractor Inc At 401 |
| Additional details: | None |
On August 24, 2017, about 1000 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-401, N4532F, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing near Pearsall, Texas. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Fitch's Flying Service under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 without a flight plan. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial-application flight that departed at 0900 from McKinley Field Airport (T30), Pearsall, Texas.
The pilot reported that the airplane experienced a partial loss of engine power during a low-altitude spray run over a peanut field. He noted that the engine was surging and that he was unable to regain normal engine operation. He climbed to 100 feet above ground level, jettisoned the airplane's chemical load, but the engine operation did not improve. The pilot reported that he subsequently made a forced landing to a nearby field, during which the airplane nosed over after it encountered tall vegetation.
A postaccident examination of the engine revealed a fracture of the No. 9 cylinder head. The cylinder was removed and retained for an additional examination.