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NTSB Report

July 10, 2004 · Air Tractor AT-401 · N10061

Winnsboro, LA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 10, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Winnsboro, LA
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT-401
Tail Number
N10061
Operator
Charles Paris
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW04LA179

The 9,155-hour pilot stated that after he had finished an aerial application of insecticide in a field approximately 5 miles away from the airport, he pulled up and out and turned 180 degrees to the right to return to the airport. At an altitude of approximately 100 to 200 feet above the ground, the engine lost power. The pilot further stated that, due to the low altitude, he could not turn much in either direction. Subsequently, the pilot initiated a forced landing into a bean field, and struck a drainage canal. Examination of the fuel system revealed no fuel in the right wing tank. The pilot reported that he had been making all of his turns to the left, and that the fuel had transferred from the right fuel cell into the left fuel cell.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's mismanagement of fuel resulting in fuel starvation. A contributing factor was the ditch.

Full Narrative

On July 10, 2004, approximately 1300 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-401 single-engine agricultural airplane, N10061, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Winnsboro, Louisiana. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered and operated by Midway Farms, Inc., of Winnsboro, Louisiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight originated from the Winnsboro Municipal Airport (F89), near Winnsboro, Louisiana, approximately 1230. The 9,155-hour pilot, in a written statement in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), stated that after he had finished an aerial application of insecticide in a field approximately 5 miles away from the airport, he pulled up and out and turned 180 degrees to the right to return to the airport. At an altitude of approximately 100 to 200 feet above the ground, the engine lost power. The pilot further stated that, due to the low altitude, he could not turn much in either direction. Subsequently, the pilot initiated a forced landing into a bean field, and struck a drainage canal. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, stated that the pilot took off with approximately one-quarter of a tank of fuel in the left wing and approximately one-half of a tank of fuel in the right wing, and "ran it dry." Examination revealed that there was no fuel in the right wing tank. The pilot reported to the inspector that he had been making all his turns to the left, and that the fuel drained from the right fuel tank to the left fuel tank. Further examination revealed structural damage to the fuselage, and the right landing gear had collapsed. According to the airplane owner's manual, "the fuel valve handle is located within easy reach of the pilot and is marked 'Main' and 'Off.' There can be no tank selection since both tanks are interconnected."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 CDT
Nearest AirportWinnsboro Municipal Airport (3nm N)
Runway36
Runway Length3000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAir Tractor AT-401
Tail NumberN10061
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCharles Paris
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney · R1340-AN-1 · Reciprocating · 600
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 49 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter30.13 inHg
Observation Time17:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data