# NTSB CHI99LA268: Air Tractor AT-401B, N61775, Edelstein, IL, July 31, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 30, 1999, 19:00 local (Jul 31, 1999, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Edelstein, IL - Coordinates: 40.969902, -89.580368 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9699&lon=-89.5804&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46906 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA268 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46906/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA268 ## Probable cause an inadequate fuel supply which resulted in fuel exhaustion. Factors associated with the accident were the low altitude at which the power loss occurred and the corn crop the airplane contacted. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - altitude - low (contributing factor) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor) - Nose over, takeoff ## Analysis The pilot reported the airplane was refueled prior to takeoff with approximately 45 gallons of fuel. The pilot reported that for 'reasons unknown' the airplane lost power after liftoff. The airplane entered a corn field at the end of the airstrip and nosed over. Inspection of the airplane revealed there was less than one ounce of fuel remaining in the airplane. The fuel tanks were not compromised during the accident and there was no sign of fuel leakage around the accident site. The operator used a private fuel supply to refuel the airplane and there were no fueling records available. ## Factual narrative On July 30, 1999, at 1900 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-401B, N61775, operated by Brian Agricultural Aviation, Pekin, Illinois, nosed over following a loss of engine power during takeoff from the Chiquita Food Processing Airstrip (2,300' x 80', grass) in Edelstein, Illinois. The commercial pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 137 agricultural flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported the airplane was refueled prior to takeoff with approximately 45 gallons of fuel, bringing the total on board to 75 gallons. In addition, the airplane was loaded with 240 gallons of water/fungicide. The pilot reported that everything appeared "normal" when the airplane lifted off. He continued to report, "For reasons unknown the aircraft lost power, entered the corn at the end of the airstrip, and came to rest upside down." The post accident inspection of the airplane was conducted by inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration Springfield, Illinois, Flight Standards District Office. The inspector reported that there was less than one ounce of fuel remaining in the airplane. The fuel tanks were not compromised during the accident. He reported that although the airplane had nosed over, there was no indication of fuel leakage around the accident site. Another inspector reported the operator used a private fuel supply to refuel the airplane and there were no fueling records available. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N61775](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N61775), registered now, S/N 401B-1009, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-401B - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-401B](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-401b) (registry code 0390207) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 401B1088 - Airframe hours: 557 - Engines: P&W R1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Brian Agricultural Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 20, 1998, 110 hours before - Departed: PVT - Destination: PVT, PEKIN, IL - Airport: Private, runway 18, 2,300 × 80 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 4,837 total, 550 in this make and model, 4,780 as pilot in command, 109 in the last 90 days, 56 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °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 19990730010269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990730010269A), Jul 30, 1999: Airtrc AT401B, Edelstein, IL, Substantial damage. Acft ran off the end of the rwy, other circumstances are unknown. (.19) on July 30, 1999, at 1900 central daylight time, an air tractor AT-401B, N61775,… 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.