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June 4, 2004 · Air Tractor AT-301 · N3166U

Cotton Plant, AR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 4, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Cotton Plant, AR
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT-301
Tail Number
N3166U
Operator
Robert Ferguson
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW04LA150

The 300-hour pilot reported that after performing an aerial application of fertilizer on a field for about 4 hours, the "engine started to sputter." The pilot initiated a forced landing to an adjacent field. During the landing roll, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. Examination of the airplane revealed both fuel tanks remained intact and contained less then one gallon of fuel.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Full Narrative

On June 4, 2004, approximately 1800 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301 single-engine agricultural airplane, N3166U, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power while maneuvering near Cotton Plant, Arkansas. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to Neal Aircraft Inc., of Slaton, Texas, and operated by Southern Air, Inc., of Cotton Plant, Arkansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight originated from a private airstrip near Cotton Plant, Arkansas, at an unknown time. The 300-hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that he was performing an aerial application of fertilizer on a field for about 4 hours. On the second to last pass, the "engine started to sputter" and he initiated a forced landing to an adjacent field. During the landing roll, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. Examination of the airplane by an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, reported that the vertical stabilizer, rudder and elevators were structurally damaged. The engine mounts were also damaged. Both fuel tanks remained intact. No fuel residue was observed on the soft ground. The inspector added that about a cup of fuel was found in each of the fuel cells. Recovery personnel were asked to evaluate any remaining fuel after the aircraft was up-right, and all estimates were that there was less than one gallon of fuel remaining in the aircraft.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAir Tractor AT-301
Tail NumberN3166U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRobert Ferguson
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney Canada · R1340 · Reciprocating · 600
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 21 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind230° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data