Pilot Debrief

AIR TRACTOR AT-602 near Yates City, IL — 2010-07-25

Final reportCEN10LA437
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Date
2010-07-25
Location
Yates City, IL, USA
Aircraft
AIR TRACTOR AT-602
Registration
N8521L
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that after he completed the aerial application, he climbed to 500 to 600 feet above ground level. After he leveled the airplane, he heard a loud sound and the engine lost power. He executed a forced landing to a cornfield, during which the wings and fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that he had about 50 to 75 gallons of fuel remaining in the wing tanks, when the accident occurred. The postaccident inspection of the airplane revealed that no fuel was visible in the left and right wing tanks, but fuel was observed coming out of the right wing root. The engine was removed from the airframe and fuel was found in the fuel lines and fuel filter. The postaccident inspection of the airframe, engine, and engine components revealed no preimpact anomalies that would preclude normal engine operation. According to the lineman who fueled the airplane prior to departure, the right tank was full, and the left tank was nearly full. The endurance for the airplane was 3.2 hours; it had been flying for about 1 1/2 hours when the loss of power occurred.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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