Pilot Debrief

AIR TRACTOR INC AT 301 near Hutchinson, MN — 2018-06-20

Final reportGAA18CA371
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Date
2018-06-20
Location
Hutchinson, MN, USA
Airport
HCD
Aircraft
AIR TRACTOR INC AT 301
Registration
N3169D
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

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

NTSB narrative

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.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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