Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary GAA18CA371

Hutchinson, MN, USA

Aircraft #1

N3169D

AIR TRACTOR INC AT 301

Analysis

According to the pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, during an agricultural application flight, he accidentally loaded more fertilizer to disperse than he had initially planned, which made the airplane "heavy." He chose not to add fuel to prevent the airplane from being over its gross weight. During flight, the engine lost power, and the pilot conducted a forced landed in a dirt field that was water-logged due to recent storms. During the landing roll, the airplane nosed over. The pilot reported that "I misjudged what I believed to be a safe quantity of fuel remaining." The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Factual Information

According to the pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, during an aerial application flight the pilot took onboard more product to disperse than he had initially planned. The airplane was heavy, and he chose not to take on additional fuel, to prevent an over-gross weight scenario. However, during flight the engine lost power and he forced landed in a dirt field that was water-logged due to recent storms. During the landing roll, the airplane nosed over. The pilot reported that, "I misjudged what I believed to be a safe quantity of fuel remaining." The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot’s improper preflight fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the subsequent total loss of engine power.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

Get all the details on your iPhone or iPad with:

Aviation Accidents App

In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports