# NTSB CEN17LA165: Air Tractor AT 602, N653LA, Vidrine, LA, April 21, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 21, 2017, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Vidrine, LA - Coordinates: 30.693889, -92.403335 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6939&lon=-92.4033&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 January 25, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Air Tractor, Inc, FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 95051 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN17LA165 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95051/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95051 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA165 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because an examination of the engine and a test run did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/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: 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 was conducting agricultural spray operations in a turbine-powered airplane. During turns, he noticed that the fuel pressure varied between 19 and 20 lbs per square inch, but otherwise it appeared normal. During a subsequent turn, the engine lost power. The pilot turned on the fuel boost pump and engine ignitor, but the engine did not respond, so he conducted a force landing to a rice field. During the landing, the airplane impacted several levees, and the main landing gear were torn off; the airplane subsequently came to a stop on its belly. The pilot reported that he looked into each wing fuel tank and that fuel was visible in each tank. Two witnesses also looked into each tank and reported seeing between about 3 and 4 inches of fuel in each tank. They added that the tanks were breached and leaking fuel. The responding Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that the tanks were empty when he arrived on scene, but it appeared that the tanks had been breached, and fuel had leaked onto the ground. The airplane was disassembled and transported to a repair facility. An examination of the airplane revealed fuel in the airframe filter and engine high-pressure canisters. About 1 quart of fuel was drained from the header tank. No contaminants were found in the fuel. The fuel flow meter displayed 52.1 gallons for fuel remaining and 157 gallons used. The flow meter does not have a fuel level sensing capability but subtracts the fuel used from what the user (pilot) input into the meter. The flow meter was programmed to 209 gallons at the last refueling or instrument reset. Given the pilot may have reset the meter during the last refuel, the meter would have registered a full fuel load even if the airplane had not received a full fuel load; thus, the 52.1 gallons remaining would not have been accurate. The engine was separated from the airframe and sent to overhaul/repair facility. The engine was placed in a test cell and started and ran with no anomalies noted. The reason for the loss of power was not determined. ## Factual narrative On April 21, 2017, about 1300 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT602 agricultural airplane, N653LA, conducted a forced landing near Vidrine, Louisiana. The pilot was not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged during the landing. The airplane was registered to and operated by Central Farmers Cooperative dba Central Farmers Flying Service under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The pilot reported that he was conducting spray operations, adding that during turns, the fuel pressure would vary from 19 to 20 psi. Even though he hadn't seen the variance before, he thought the it appeared normal. Then during a turn, the engine lost power. He turned on the [fuel] boost pump, and engine ignitor, but the engine did not restart. The pilot then conducted a forced landing in a rice field. During the landing, the airplane impacted several levees. The airplane's main landing gear were torn off during the landing, and the airplane came to a stop on its belly. The pilot then looked in the fuel tanks and reported that fuel was visible in both left and right fuel tanks. Two other people who were assisting the pilot, who arrived on scene, reported there was 3 to 4 inches of fuel in each tank, and fuel was leaking from the tanks. The responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector noted substantial damage to the airplane's left and right wings. He added that the fuel tanks were empty when he arrived, but it appeared that both tanks had been breached and leaked their contents on the ground. The airplane was partially dismantled, including removal of the wings, for recovery and then transported to a repair facility. An examination was then conducted by the NTSB Investigator-in-Charge and a technical representative from the airframe manufacturer. The engine fuel lines, including the Py line, were checked and there were no apparent damage or leaks in the lines. The airframe fuel filter, located on the firewall, was opened; the filter/canister was full of fuel. The engine high pressure fuel pump filter bowl was opened, and the fuel level was about one inch below the top; no debris or contaminates were found. Approximately 1 quart of fuel was drained from the airplane's fuel header tank; the fuel appeared clean. Without electrical power, (and the wings removed from the airplane) the left and right fuel gauges read about 1/16 inch and 1/8 inch above empty, respectively. Electrical power was applied to the airplane, and a self-test was successful on the Shadin fuel flowmeter. The unit displayed 52.1 for fuel remaining, and 157 for fuel used. The airplane was equipped with a 210-gallon fuel system. The flowmeter does not have a fuel level sensing capability, but subtracts fuel from what the user (pilot) input into the meter. The flowmeter was programed to 209, at the last refueling or instrument reset. The engine was separated from theairframe and sent to overhaul/repair facility. Prior to overhaul, the engine was placed in an engine test cell. Under the supervision of an FAA inspector, an engine test run was conducted. The engine started and ran, with no abnormalities noted. A reason for the loss of engine power was not found. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N653LA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N653LA-2021-03-01), registration cancelled 2021-03-01, S/N 602-0653, built 2002 (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 PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52032, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 602-0653 - Year built: 2002 - Airframe hours: 8636.3 - Engines: P&W PT6A turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Central Farmers Flying Service - Registered owner: Central Farmers Flying Service - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, March 30, 2017 - Departed: LA25, Vidrine, LA - Destination: LA25, Vidrine, LA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; last flight review December 28, 2015; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 9,654 total, 300 in this make and model, 200 in the last 90 days, 200 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: KACP, 15 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 20170421006479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170421006479A), Apr 21, 2017: Air Tractor Inc AT-602, Vidrine, LA, Substantial damage. Aircraft completed arial application pass with a heading of 180 degrees south, pulled up to gain altitude for next application pass. Aircraft made slight right… ## Other investigations on N653LA (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 CEN20CA153](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA153), Apr 21, 2020: Air Tractor AT 602 (N653LA), Mamou, LA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The airplane's encounter with a sunken area during takeoff from a turf runway, which resulted in the airplane becoming prematurely airborne and impacting a tree and then terrain. ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 13, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95051. 4.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 412 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457905&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Statements (item 2, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457906&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statements-Master.PDF - Engine Test Run (item 3, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457907&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20Test%20Run-Master.PDF - Photos (item 4, .PDF, 2 photos, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457908&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 5, .PDF, 99 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457909&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-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.