# NTSB DFW06CA214: Air Tractor 301, N23260, Big Spring, TX, September 23, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 23, 2006, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Big Spring, TX
- Coordinates: 32.2125, -101.525
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2125&lon=-101.5250&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 28, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Lubbock, Texas
- NTSB case key (mKey): 64588
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW06CA214
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64588/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06CA214

## Probable cause

A loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as result of the pilot's failure to refuel the airplane.  A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The 9,000-hour commercial pilot departed from a private airstrip on an aerial application flight.  The pilot reported that just prior to reaching his destination, the fuel pressure light came on and the 600 horsepower radial engine lost power.  The pilot elected to execute a forced landing to a field on a southern heading.  The airplane sustained structural damage upon contact with trees during the forced landing.  Examination of the airplane revealed that the loss of fuel pressure was the result of fuel exhaustion.   The pilot reported that at the time of the accident scattered clouds prevailed at 6,000 and the winds were from 360 degrees at 8 knots.  The airplane sustained structural damage upon impact with the trees.  The pilot was not injured.

## Factual narrative

The 9,000-hour commercial pilot departed from a private airstrip on an aerial application flight.  The pilot reported that just prior to reaching his destination, the fuel pressure light came on and the 600 horsepower radial engine lost power.  The pilot elected to execute a forced landing to a field on a southern heading.  The airplane sustained structural damage upon contact with trees during the forced landing.  Examination of the airplane revealed that the loss of fuel pressure was the result of fuel exhaustion.   The pilot reported that at the time of the accident, scattered clouds prevailed at 6,000 and the winds were from 360 degrees at 8 knots.  The airplane sustained structural damage upon impact with the trees.  The pilot was not injured.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N23260](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N23260), registered now, S/N 301-0373, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Air Tractor 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: 373
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney R1340 AN-1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 137
- Operator: Harold Griffith
- Registered owner: Elvira Griffith
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: Griffith Field
- Destination: KBGS, Big Springs, TX
- Airport: KBPG, Big Spring Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2006; seat: center; flight hours: 9,000 total, 7,000 in this make and model, 9,000 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles

## 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 20060923019249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060923019249A), Sep 23, 2006: Airtrc AT301, Big Spring, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On September 23, 2006, at approximately 0830 CDT, air tractor N23260, model 301, experienced engine stoppage while on a positioning flight from a private…

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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