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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

June 20, 2003 · Air Tractor AT-301 · N3659T

Covert, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 20, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Covert, MI
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT-301
Tail Number
N3659T
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI03LA170

The airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power. The terrain was soft and rough, causing the aircraft to nose over prior to coming to a rest. The aircraft was most recently fueled with 100 gallons and consumed approximately 35 gallons/hour during flight. The pilot estimated the total flight time since refueling as 2-1/2 to 3 hours, accumulated over two or three flights. A total of 4 gallons of fuel were recovered from the aircraft after the accident. Unusable fuel was listed at 6 gallons according to the Federal Aviation Administration Type Certificate Data Sheet. No evidence of fuel contamination was present. A post-accident examination of the aircraft and engine did not reveal any pre-impact anomalies. The pilot stated that the "most probable cause [of the accident was a] lack of fuel."

NTSB Probable Cause

Failure of the pilot to verify fuel quantity prior to the accident flight, and fuel exhaustion resulting in a loss of engine power. Contributing factors were the soft, rough, unsuitable terrain for a forced landing.

Full Narrative

On June 20, 2003, at 0940 eastern daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301, N3659T, operated by Robertson Crop Dusting Service Inc., sustained substantial damage during a forced landing 7 miles south of South Haven Area Regional Airport (0D1), South Haven, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot reported minor injuries. The local flight departed 0D1 at 0840. The pilot stated he was returning to 0D1 after the local flight when the engine backfired twice. He reported that he landed in a field, however, the terrain was sandy and rough. The aircraft subsequently nosed over prior to coming to rest. The pilot stated that the aircraft had been fueled with approximately 100 gallons one or two flights prior to the accident flight. The aircraft's normal fuel consumption was about 35 gallons/hour, according to the pilot. He estimated the total flight time since refueling had been 2-1/2 to 3 hours. Approximately four gallons of fuel were recovered from the aircraft after the accident. The aircraft's type certificate data sheet lists a maximum fuel capacity of 126 gallons with 120 gallons useable. The pilot reported no malfunctions with the airplane prior to the loss of engine power. A post-accident examination of the aircraft and engine did not reveal any pre-impact anomolies. No evidence of fuel contamination was present. The pilot stated that the "most probable cause [of the accident was a] lack of fuel."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:40 EDT
Nearest AirportSouth Haven Area Regional (7nm S)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAir Tractor AT-301
Tail NumberN3659T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney · R-1340 AN1 · Reciprocating · 600
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 38 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 46
Altimeter30.20 inHg
Observation Time13:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data