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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

July 31, 1999 · Air Tractor AT-401B · N61775

Edelstein, IL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 31, 1999
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Edelstein, IL
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT-401B
Tail Number
N61775
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI99LA268

The pilot reported the airplane was refueled prior to takeoff with approximately 45 gallons of fuel. The pilot reported that for 'reasons unknown' the airplane lost power after liftoff. The airplane entered a corn field at the end of the airstrip and nosed over. Inspection of the airplane revealed there was less than one ounce of fuel remaining in the airplane. The fuel tanks were not compromised during the accident and there was no sign of fuel leakage around the accident site. The operator used a private fuel supply to refuel the airplane and there were no fueling records available.

NTSB Probable Cause

an inadequate fuel supply which resulted in fuel exhaustion. Factors associated with the accident were the low altitude at which the power loss occurred and the corn crop the airplane contacted.

Full Narrative

On July 30, 1999, at 1900 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-401B, N61775, operated by Brian Agricultural Aviation, Pekin, Illinois, nosed over following a loss of engine power during takeoff from the Chiquita Food Processing Airstrip (2,300' x 80', grass) in Edelstein, Illinois. The commercial pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 137 agricultural flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported the airplane was refueled prior to takeoff with approximately 45 gallons of fuel, bringing the total on board to 75 gallons. In addition, the airplane was loaded with 240 gallons of water/fungicide. The pilot reported that everything appeared "normal" when the airplane lifted off. He continued to report, "For reasons unknown the aircraft lost power, entered the corn at the end of the airstrip, and came to rest upside down." The post accident inspection of the airplane was conducted by inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration Springfield, Illinois, Flight Standards District Office. The inspector reported that there was less than one ounce of fuel remaining in the airplane. The fuel tanks were not compromised during the accident. He reported that although the airplane had nosed over, there was no indication of fuel leakage around the accident site. Another inspector reported the operator used a private fuel supply to refuel the airplane and there were no fueling records available.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:00 CDT
Nearest AirportPRIVATE (0nm)
Runway18
Runway Length2300 ft
Runway Width80 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAir Tractor AT-401B
Tail NumberN61775
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R1340 · Reciprocating · 600
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 52 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data