Pilot Debrief

AIR TRACTOR INC AT-802A near Oneida, AR — 2014-06-07

Final reportCEN14LA298
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Date
2014-06-07
Location
Oneida, AR, USA
Aircraft
AIR TRACTOR INC AT-802A
Registration
N802PR
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power at low altitude due to fuel exhaustion and a forced landing in a muddy field and subsequent nose-over.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, before the accident flight, the left fuel gauge indicated between empty and 1/4 full and that the right fuel gauge indicated a "little over" a 1/4 full. After taking off and conducting a few aerial application passes, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. Due to the low altitude at the time of the power loss, the pilot chose to perform a forced landing on a field. During the landing roll, the airplane entered a muddy area and then nosed over. During postaccident recovery of the airplane, about 1 1/2 gallons of fuel was drained from the airplane. No evidence of fuel spillage was found at the accident site.

Analysis

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

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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