# NTSB ATL07CA051: Air Tractor AT-502B, N90319, Collinwood, TN, March 15, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 15, 2007, 16:06 local (21:06 UTC)
- Place: Collinwood, TN
- Coordinates: 35.207221, -87.78083
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2072&lon=-87.7808&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 27, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Nashville FSDO-03
- NTSB case key (mKey): 65484
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL07CA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65484/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL07CA051

## Probable cause

The pilots improper inflight planning which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that he departed to apply  fertilizer to a timber field 11 miles southwest of the departure point. He noticed that his fuel was low and turned on the fuel boost pump. He continued to finish his fertilizer load. The pilot stated that during the return to the landing zone, "the airplane ran out fuel and the engine stopped". He then made a forced landing in a field and the airplane collided with a row of trees next to a creek. The pilot turned off all electrical switches and exited the airplane. The pilot was uninjured, and did not report any mechanical or flight control anomalies prior to the accident. Examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed that both fuel tanks were empty. The wings and fuselage were also buckled.

## Factual narrative

The pilot stated that he departed a hay field north of Collinwood, Tennessee, to apply  fertilizer to a timber field 11 miles southwest of the departure point. He noticed that his fuel was low and turned on the fuel boost pump. He continued to finish his fertilizer load. The pilot stated that during the return to the landing zone, "the airplane ran out fuel and the engine stopped". He then made a forced landing in a field and the airplane collided with a row of trees next to a creek. The pilot turned off all electrical switches and exited the airplane. The pilot was uninjured, and did not report any mechanical or flight control anomalies prior to the accident. Examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed that both fuel tanks were empty. The wings and fuselage were also buckled.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90319](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N90319), registered now, S/N 502B-0578, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-502B
- Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-502B](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-502b) (registry code 0390307) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 502B-0578
- Airframe hours: 2280
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A 500 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Otto M. Morrison
- Registered owner: Morrison Aircraft Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2007, 100 hours before
- Departed: Private strip, TN
- Destination: Private strip, TN
- Airport: NONE, Private strip

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2005; seat: front; flight hours: 19,000 total, 7,000 in this make and model, 19,000 as pilot in command, 170 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observed at: KMSL, 11 nm away

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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