# NTSB CHI97LA199: Snow S2C, N1684S, Viola, IL, July 3, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 3, 1997, 17:45 local (22:45 UTC) - Place: Viola, IL - Coordinates: 41.099914, -90.929603 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0999&lon=-90.9296&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10621 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA199 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10621/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA199 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation by failing to ensure there was an inadequate supply of fuel for the flight, which led to fuel exhaustion, loss of engine power, and a forced landing. Uneven terrain in the emergency landing area was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - aerial application - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - refueling - not performed - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - terrain condition - roadway/highway ## Analysis The pilot reported the purpose of the flight was to spray six different fields. A total loss of engine power was experienced 2 hours and 47 minutes after takeoff. The pilot attempted to circle around and land in the field over which he was spraying. The airplane touched down in the field; however, it traveled through the field, then crossed a road and an embankment before coming to rest. Postaccident inspection of the airplane revealed that there was no fuel in either fuel tank. ## Factual narrative On July 3, 1997, at 1745 central daylight time, a Snow S2C, N1684S, operated by a commercial pilot, collided with the terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power. The accident occurred in Viola, Illinois. The pilot was not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated from the Aledo, Illinois, at 1458 cdt. The pilot reported he had a full chemical load and a full load of fuel (100 gallons) on takeoff. He reported he sprayed 6 different fields and while spraying the last field a loss of power occurred. The pilot attempted to circle around and land in the field which he was spraying. The airplane touched down in the field; however, it continued to travel across a road and an embankment prior to coming to rest. Inspection of the airplane immediately following the accident revealed a lack of fuel in the fuel tanks. See attached Illinois State Police Aircraft Accident Report. In addition, the owner/operator of the airplane stated the pilot ran the airplane out of fuel. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1684S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1684S-2013-04-30), registration cancelled 2013-04-30, S/N 600-1259C (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Snow S2C - Registry model: [Snow 600-S2C](https://openairdocs.org/model/snow-600-s2c) (registry code 8380302) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 600-1259C - Airframe hours: 7214 - Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Jos Agricair, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 28, 1997, 80 hours before - Departed: C00, ALEDO, IL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 9,312 total, 80 in this make and model, 8,983 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MLI, 18 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 19970703016919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970703016919A), Jul 3, 1997: Ayres 600S2C, Viola, IL, Substantial damage. Engine quit, tried to land in field, too much airspeed. Hit fence with landing gear. Crossed highway into embankment (.4)the pilot reported the purpose of the… 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.