# NTSB CHI08CA251: Air Tractor AT-301B, N3161D, Monticello, IA, August 13, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 13, 2008, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Monticello, IA - Coordinates: 42.220275, -91.16333 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2203&lon=-91.1633&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Des Moines, IA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68763 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA251 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68763/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA251 ## Probable cause Poor preflight planning in that the pilot failed to assure an adequate fuel supply was on board for the flight which resulted in fuel exhaustion. Factors associated with the accident were the low altitude of the airplane when the loss of power occurred and the trees. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Inadequate inspection (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) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192); 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) - [Approach: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=0390103), [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-301, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported he completed the aerial application portion of the flight and was returning to the airport when the engine suddenly lost power. He stated he was at an altitude of about 200 feet above the ground and had no option but to land the airplane in the trees. The pilot reported he had approximately 75 gallons of fuel on board when he took off. The pilot stated the airplane typically consumed approximately 40 gallons per hour. The pilot reported to a police sergeant that he believed the airplane ran out of fuel. Inspection of the accident site revealed the fuel tanks were ruptured and empty. First responders to the accident site reported there was no odor of fuel having leaked from the airplane. ## Factual narrative On August 13, 2008, at 1430 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301B, N3161D, collided with trees during an off airport forced landing in Monticello, Iowa. The pilot received minor injuries. The airplane received substantial damage to the wings. The aerial application flight was operating under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from the Monticello Regional Airport (MXO) at 1235. The pilot reported he completed the aerial application portion of the flight and was returning to MXO when the engine suddenly lost power. He stated he was at an altitude of about 200 feet above the ground and had no option but to land the airplane in the trees. The pilot reported he had approximately 75 gallons of fuel on board when he took off. The pilot stated the airplane typically consumed approximately 40 gallons per hour. The pilot reported to a Monticello Police Sergeant that he believed the airplane ran out of fuel. Inspection of the accident site revealed the fuel tanks were ruptured and empty. First responders to the accident site reported there was no odor of fuel having leaked from the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3161D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3161D-2013-06-06), registration cancelled 2013-06-06, S/N 301-0483, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-301B - 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: 301-0483 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R1340 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Hog Air Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: MXO, Monticello, IA - Destination: MXO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; flight hours: 3,681 total, 373 in this make and model, 3,586 as pilot in command, 373 in the last 90 days, 252 in the last 30 days, 12 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: DBQ ## 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 20080813843819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080813843819A), Aug 13, 2008: Airtrc AT301, Monticello, IA, Destroyed. (-23) This pilot was returning to mxo, engine lost power and quit. Pilot stated that he extended flaps and worked manual fuel pump. Engine woudl not restart.… 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.