# NTSB ATL99LA085: Air Tractor AT-400, N36493, Louisville, MS, May 13, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 13, 1999, 10:05 local (15:05 UTC) - Place: Louisville, MS - Coordinates: 33.120906, -89.049217 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1209&lon=-89.0492&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 12, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46325 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL99LA085 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46325/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA085 ## Probable cause INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION, DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, climb - to cruise - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot reported that about three or four minutes after departure, he heard a loud whining and grinding noise from the engine compartment for several seconds. He then heard an abrupt loud noise that resulted in a total loss of engine power. He stated that he looked at the torque gauge as the needle fell to zero, he then traded airspeed for altitude gain and applied full flaps, setting up the aircraft for a forced landing into the trees. An examination of both the fuel line and engine was conducted. The fuel line examination detected that there was no fuel in the fuel line or at the fuel controller, and very little in both main tanks. The engine examination concluded that less than 1 oz. of fuel was found in the engine fuel filter, and less than 12 oz. of fuel was found in the firewall fuel filter. Less than a gallon of fuel was recovered from the fuel system. No fuel spillage was noted at the accident site. The examination of the engine assembly failed to disclose an obvious internal component malfunction or failure. ## Factual narrative On May 13, 1999, at 1005 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-400, N36493, collided with trees shortly after takeoff, in Louisville, Mississippi. The airplane was operated by the commercial pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 137, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The pilot was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight departed Louisville, Mississippi, at 1000. The pilot reported that about three or four minutes after departure, he heard a loud whining and grinding noise from the engine compartment for several seconds. The pilot then heard an abrupt loud noise that resulted in a total loss of engine power. The pilot stated that he looked at the torque gauge as the needle fell to zero, he then traded airspeed for altitude gain and applied full flaps, setting up the aircraft for an emergency landing into the trees. The examination of both the fuel line and engine was conducted. The fuel line examination detected that there was no fuel in the fuel line or at the fuel controller, and very little in both main tanks. The engine examination concluded that less than 1 oz. of fuel was found in the engine fuel filter, and less than 12 oz. of fuel was found in the firewall fuel filter. Less than a gallon of fuel was recovered from the fuel system. No fuel spillage noted at the accident site. The examination of the engine assembly failed to disclose an obvious internal component malfunction or failure. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N36493](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N36493-2000-03-11), registration cancelled 2000-03-11, S/N 400-0244 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-400 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-400](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-400) (registry code 0390202) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 400-0244 - Engines: P&W PT6A-21 550 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Britt D. Bookout, doing business as Business - Registered owner: Southeastern Aircraft - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Departed: LMS, LOUISVILLE, MS - Destination: 1M2, BELZONI, MS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 4,000 total, 400 in this make and model, 250 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 9 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: GTR, 33 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19990513020839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990513020839A), May 13, 1999: Airtrc AT400, Louisville, MS, Substantial damage. On may 13, 1999, at 1100 central daylight time, a air tractor AT-400, N36493, collided with trees shortly after takeoff, in Louisville, Mississippi. The… ## Other investigations on N36493 (1) 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. - [NTSB FTW82DA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA118), Apr 8, 1982: Air Tractor AT-400 (N36493), Edna, TX, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.