# NTSB CEN12CA274: Air Tractor AT-301, N3166W, Cedar Bluffs, NE, May 3, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 3, 2012, 18:50 local (23:50 UTC) - Place: Cedar Bluffs, NE - Coordinates: 41.395558, -96.598521 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3956&lon=-96.5985&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 31, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83558 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA274 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83558/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83558 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA274 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis While conducting an aerial application flight, the pilot noticed that the fuel gauge displayed a low quantity. While the pilot attempted to return to an airstrip, the engine stopped producing power. The pilot performed a forced landing in a cornfield. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported in a postaccident statement that he ran out of fuel. Postaccident examination confirmed fuel exhaustion. ## Factual narrative While conducting an aerial application flight, the pilot noticed that the fuel gauge displayed a low quantity. While attempting to return to an airstrip, the engine stopped producing power. The pilot performed a forced landing in a cornfield. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. In a statement provided by the pilot to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the pilot said that he ran out of fuel. In addition, a certified airframe and powerplant mechanic examined the airplane after the accident and confirmed fuel exhaustion. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3166W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3166W-2017-12-21), registration cancelled 2017-12-21, S/N 301-0552, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT-301 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-301) (registry code 0390103) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 301-0552 - Engines: P&W R1340 SERIES 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Swancutt Aviation Inc - Registered owner: Swancutt Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: McCook, KS - Destination: McCook, KS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: single ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.80 inHg - Observed at: MCK, 13 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 20120503009649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120503009649A), May 3, 2012: Air Tractor Inc AT-301, Danbury, NE, Substantial damage. While returning to the airport after spraying a field, the engine stopped due to fuel depletion. During the subsequent landing attempt in a field 13 miles… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 4, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83558. 25 KB in all. - Correspondence with FAA Inspector (item 1, .PDF, 25 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40382881&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Correspondence%20with%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF 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.