# NTSB CHI95LA158: Air Tractor AT301, N4353S, Clark, SD, May 24, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 24, 1995, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Clark, SD - Coordinates: 44.879131, -97.730308 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8791&lon=-97.7303&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 24, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9892 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA158 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9892/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA158 ## Probable cause the failure of the pilot to refuel prior to fuel exhaustion. A factor in the accident was the pilot's excessive braking. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Nose over, landing - roll - brakes(normal) - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis APPROXIMATELY ONE AND A HALF HOURS INTO AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT, THE PILOT NOTICED THAT THE LEFT FUEL TANK GAUGE READ BELOW 1/4 TANK. HE SWITCHED THE SELECTED TANK TO THE RIGHT. THE RIGHT FUEL TANK GAUGE READ EMPTY. THE PILOT SWITCHED BACK TO THE LEFT TANK AND IMMEDIATELY HEADED BACK TO THE AIRPORT TO LAND. THE PILOT STATED HE BELIEVED THAT HE WOULD HAVE ENOUGH FUEL TO GET BACK TO THE AIRPORT. APPROXIMATELY EIGHT MILES FROM THE AIRPORT, THE LOW PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHILE PREPARING TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON A ROAD, THE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING ON A FIELD. AFTER TOUCHDOWN THE PILOT APPLIED HEAVY BRAKING IN AN EFFORT TO AVOID IMPACTING A FENCE. THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST IN AN INVERTED POSITION. ## Factual narrative On May 24, 1995, at 1830 central daylight time (cdt), an Air Tractor AT301, N4353S, sustained substantial damage following a loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing on a field near Clark, South Dakota. The pilot reported no injuries. The local 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight originated from Clark County Airport at 1700 cdt without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident. In a detailed written statement, the pilot reported that the airplane was fueled and loaded with chemicals for an aerial application flight. He then departed Clark County Airport, flew to his destination, and began spraying. Almost done spraying the field and nearly out of chemicals, the pilot stated he noticed that the left fuel tank gauge read below 1/4 tank. He switched the selected fuel tank to the right tank, but the right fuel tank gauge read empty. The pilot stated he switched back to the left fuel tank and immediately headed back towards Clark County. The pilot stated, "I thought I would have enough [fuel] to get back." Approximately eight miles from the airport, the low pressure warning light illuminated. The pilot stated he activated the hand fuel pump and prepared to make a forced landing on a road. "Before I was able to position myself for landing on the road the engine lost all power, and I was forced to land in a pasture," the pilot stated. After touchdown the pilot applied heavy braking in an effort to avoid impacting a fence. The airplane came to rest in an inverted position. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4353S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4353S-2010-05-24), registration cancelled 2010-05-24, S/N 301-0033, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR AT301 - 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: 301-0033 - Airframe hours: 6332 - Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Beving Aero Crop Service, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 1995, 50 hours before - Departed: 8D7 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 8,000 total, 40 in this make and model, 7,900 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 3 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F ## 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 19950524013089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950524013089A), May 24, 1995: Airtrc AT301, Clark, SD, Substantial damage. Noted low fuel on spray run. Turned back to base. Ran out 8MILES short. Used heavy braking landing. Nosed over. (-23) the pilot stated that while returning to… 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.