Pilot Debrief

Air Tractor Inc AT-502 near Fergus Falls, MN — 2011-07-22

Final reportCEN11LA499
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Date
2011-07-22
Location
Fergus Falls, MN, USA
Airport
FFM
Aircraft
Air Tractor Inc AT-502
Registration
N1516G
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because the airplane came to rest inverted in water.

NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that, while returning to the airport at the end of a 1-hour aerial application flight, the airplane experienced a gradual loss of engine power. The engine then lost all power, and the pilot performed a forced landing to a field immersed in water. The airplane nosed over during the landing, and the airframe and engine were immersed in the water. The pilot stated that the airplane had been fueled from a 300 gallon tank used to shuttle fuel. Examination of the wreckage, which took place 12 days after the accident, revealed no fuel within the examined portions of the fuel system, and water contamination within the fuel control unit and fuel pump. Determination of whether the lack of fuel noted was due to the airplane's inverted position and the time of the examination or whether the contamination was due to the water immersion could not be made.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked fuel levels more thoroughly before takeoff.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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