# NTSB DEN83LA136: Air Tractor AT-301, N23069, Conrad, MT, June 9, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 9, 1983, 09:50 local (15:50 UTC)
- Place: Conrad, MT
- Coordinates: 48.199253, -111.850486 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1993&lon=-111.8505&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16090
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA136
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16090/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA136

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear attachment - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT LANDED HARD AND COLLAPSED THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER FUEL EXHAUSTION. DURING A LANDING TO RELOAD THE PILOT HAD HANDLED THE HERBICIDE ON-LOADING AND A GROUND CREWMAN WAS LOADING THE ACFT FUEL. THE SUPPLY OF 80/87 OCTANE FUEL WAS EXHAUSTED BUT THERE WAS 100 OCTANE AVAILABLE. THE PILOT WAS TOLD ABOUT THE FUEL SUPPLY BUT HE MADE NO REPLY AS HE WAS BUSY LOADING HERBICIDE. THE REFUELING WAS NOT COMPLETED. ABOUT AN HOUR AFTER TAKEOFF THE ENGINE CEASED OPERATION DURING A PULL-UP MANEUVER. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE PILOTS FATHER DRAINED ABOUT 1 CUP OF FUEL FROMEACH FUEL TANK. THE PILOT STATED HE SHOULD HAVE TOPPED OFF WITH FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N23069](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N23069), registered now, S/N 301-0350, 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: 301-0350
- Airframe hours: 435
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Minuteman Aerial Application
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 5, 1983, 67 hours before
- Departed: S01, CONRAD, MT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; seat: center; flight hours: 901 total, 343 in this make and model, 701 as pilot in command, 115 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 17 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CTB, 32 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 19830609024829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830609024829A), Jun 9, 1983: Airtrc AT301, Conrad, MT, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on pullup from a spray run. Impacted the ground in a high sink rate. Failed to check fuel.

## Other investigations on N23069 (3)

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 CEN25LA306](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA306), Aug 7, 2025: Air Tractor AT-301 (N23069), Davenport, ND, substantial damage, investigation ongoing
- [NTSB DEN87LA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA084), Apr 5, 1987: Air Tractor AT-301 (N23069), Conrad, MT, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN82DTI09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DTI09), Jan 3, 1982: Air Tractor AT-301 (N23069), Greenough, MT, substantial damage

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.

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