# NTSB CEN14LA147: Air Tractor AT 602, N5035R, Church Point, LA, February 19, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 19, 2014, 17:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Church Point, LA - Coordinates: 30.437778, -92.1875 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4378&lon=-92.1875&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 3, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 88826 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14LA147 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88826/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88826 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA147 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper preflight inspection and in-flight fuel planning, which resulted in a total 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 level (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=0390309), [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-602, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Approach: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during an agricultural application flight, the engine began to surge and lose power and that the propeller did not autofeather and appeared to be locked up. He made a forced landing to an open field, and the airplane subsequently collided with trees. The pilot said he thought the airplane had plenty of fuel because he usually flew the airplane for 2 hours as recorded on the Hobbs meter before it needed more fuel but that he had only flown for 0.8 hour since fueling the airplane. However, he later stated that the airplane was starved of fuel and that he should have known the engine fuel burn and the airplane fuel capacity and should have checked the fuel during preflight. No fuel was found in the fuel tanks, no fuel leaks were found, and no fuel was found on the ground. Upon application of electrical power, the fuel gauge read "0," and the "low fuel" annunciator light illuminated. Disassembly and examination of the engine revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have caused the engine to lose power. ## Factual narrative The pilot was spreading dry fertilizer on a wheat field. In his statement to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, he said the engine began surging and lost power. He was about 70 feet above the ground and he pulled up to about 250 feet. He made a forced landing in an open field using full flaps. The airplane slid into some trees at the end of the field. The pilot said the propeller did not auto-feather and it appeared to be locked up. The pilot said he normally flew for two hours as recorded on the Hobbs meter, but he had only been flying for 0.8 hours that day. The inspector examined the airplane and reported finding no fuel in the fuel tanks or smelling any fuel. He was no fuel leaks or any fuel on the ground. This was confirmed by the salvage recovery crew. Upon application of electrical power, the fuel gauge read "0" and the "Low Fuel" annunciator light illuminated. The engine was later disassembled and inspected by Pratt and Whitney Canada under the auspice of FAA. No mechanical anomalies were found that would be causal to the engine losing power. The pilot later submitted another statement in which he wrote: "Fuel starvation (sic) was the cause of the accident." The pilot also noted items that he should have accomplished before takeoff, including knowing the engine fuel burn, airplane fuel capacity, and dip-sticking the wing tanks. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5035R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5035R-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N 602-0426, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT 602 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-602](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-602) (registry code 0390309) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-66 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-66-series) (registry code 52118, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 602-0426 - Year built: 1997 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Richard Flying Service, Inc. - Registered owner: Richard Flying Service, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: NONE, Rayne, LA - Destination: NONE, Rayne, LA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: center; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 9,760 total, 20 in this make and model, 300 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 12 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: KOPL, 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 20140219003689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140219003689A), Feb 19, 2014: Air Tractor Inc AT-602, Church Point, LA, Substantial damage. During low level application of fertilizer (70 ft AGL), pilot said he experienced an engine surge then loss of power. Pilot climbed to 250 ft AGL and looked… ## Other investigations on N5035R (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 CEN15LA276](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA276), Jun 4, 2015: Air Tractor AT-602 (N5035R), Branch, LA, substantial damage. Probable cause: An exceedance of the airplane's takeoff/climb capability, which resulted in a stall during initial climb at an altitude that was too low for recovery. ## Docket (13 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 28, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88826. 13.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411597&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 111 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411598&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Pilot's Second Statement (item 3, .PDF, 119 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411599&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Second%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation (item 4, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411600&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF - FAA Form 8020-23 Accident Report (item 5, .PDF, 392 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411601&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Form%208020-23%20Accident%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Maps of Accident Area (item 6, .PDF, 140 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411602&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maps%20of%20Accident%20Area-Master.PDF - Photo 1. Point of Initial Touchdown (item 7, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411603&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Point%20of%20Initial%20Touchdown-Master.PDF - Photo 2. Landing Gear Tracks Terminating at Airplane in Trees (item 8, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411604&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20Landing%20Gear%20Tracks%20Terminating%20at%20Airplane%20in%20Trees-Master.PDF - Photo 3. Rear View of Airplane (item 9, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411605&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203.%20Rear%20View%20of%20Airplane-Master.PDF - Photo 4. Left Wing Damage (item 10, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411606&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204.%20Left%20Wing%20Damage-Master.PDF - Photo 5. Right Wing Damage (item 11, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411607&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205.%20Right%20Wing%20Damage-Master.PDF - Photo 6. Unfeathered Propeller (item 12, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411608&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%206.%20Unfeathered%20Propeller-Master.PDF - Photo 7. Fuel Gauge Indications With Power On (item 13, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411609&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%207.%20Fuel%20Gauge%20Indications%20With%20Power%20On-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.