# NTSB CHI03LA170: Air Tractor AT-301, N3659T, Covert, MI, June 20, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 20, 2003, 09:40 local (13:40 UTC) - Place: Covert, MI - Coordinates: 42.350833, -86.256111 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3508&lon=-86.2561&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA- Grand Rapids FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57291 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA170 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57291/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA170 ## Probable cause Failure of the pilot to verify fuel quantity prior to the accident flight, and fuel exhaustion resulting in a loss of engine power. Contributing factors were the soft, rough, unsuitable terrain for a forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor) - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - Nose over, emergency landing ## Analysis The airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power. The terrain was soft and rough, causing the aircraft to nose over prior to coming to a rest. The aircraft was most recently fueled with 100 gallons and consumed approximately 35 gallons/hour during flight. The pilot estimated the total flight time since refueling as 2-1/2 to 3 hours, accumulated over two or three flights. A total of 4 gallons of fuel were recovered from the aircraft after the accident. Unusable fuel was listed at 6 gallons according to the Federal Aviation Administration Type Certificate Data Sheet. No evidence of fuel contamination was present. A post-accident examination of the aircraft and engine did not reveal any pre-impact anomalies. The pilot stated that the "most probable cause [of the accident was a] lack of fuel." ## Factual narrative On June 20, 2003, at 0940 eastern daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301, N3659T, operated by Robertson Crop Dusting Service Inc., sustained substantial damage during a forced landing 7 miles south of South Haven Area Regional Airport (0D1), South Haven, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot reported minor injuries. The local flight departed 0D1 at 0840. The pilot stated he was returning to 0D1 after the local flight when the engine backfired twice. He reported that he landed in a field, however, the terrain was sandy and rough. The aircraft subsequently nosed over prior to coming to rest. The pilot stated that the aircraft had been fueled with approximately 100 gallons one or two flights prior to the accident flight. The aircraft's normal fuel consumption was about 35 gallons/hour, according to the pilot. He estimated the total flight time since refueling had been 2-1/2 to 3 hours. Approximately four gallons of fuel were recovered from the aircraft after the accident. The aircraft's type certificate data sheet lists a maximum fuel capacity of 126 gallons with 120 gallons useable. The pilot reported no malfunctions with the airplane prior to the loss of engine power. A post-accident examination of the aircraft and engine did not reveal any pre-impact anomolies. No evidence of fuel contamination was present. The pilot stated that the "most probable cause [of the accident was a] lack of fuel." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3659T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3659T), registered now, S/N 301-0329, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor 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: 301-0329 - Airframe hours: 7649.6 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-1340 AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Robertson Crop Dusting Service Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 9, 2003, 103.1 hours before - Departed: 0D1, South Haven, MI - Airport: 0D1, South Haven Area Regional ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review April 21, 2003; seat: center; flight hours: 5,150 total, 1,675 in this make and model, 4,900 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 140 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: BEH, 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 20030620010889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030620010889A), Jun 20, 2003: Airtrc AT301, South Haven, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) On 06/20/03, the subject aircraft took off from the home base (South Haven) airport at approximately 8:50 am to do aerial spraying in hager township.… ## Other investigations on N3659T (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 CHI98LA290](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA290), Jul 31, 1998: Air Tractor AT-301 (N3659T), Mentha, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's improper inflight decision to land the airplane on the gravel covered road with an uneven surface that had corn growing next to its edge. A factor in this accident was the pilot selecting… 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.