# NTSB DFW06LA121: Air Tractor AT-802A, N8504T, Jasper, TX, May 1, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 1, 2006, 08:00 local (13:00 UTC) - Place: Jasper, TX - Coordinates: 30.8855555555556, -94.0347222222222 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.8856&lon=-94.0347&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 31, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 63646 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW06LA121 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63646/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06LA121 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable landing for the pilot to execute the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - aerial application - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - congested/confined area - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The turbine powered agricultural airplane was loaded with a payload of 5,500 pounds of chemicals prior to a local aerial application flight. The 8,500-hour non-instrument rated commercial pilot reported to local authorities that while in-flight he experienced some problems with the on-board agricultural-navigation system; however, he elected to proceed to the field to be sprayed. While en route to the field, the engine surged a couple of times and lost power. The pilot attempted to execute a forced landing to a pasture. During the approach, the pilot was forced to make a sharp turn to avoid colliding with a fence, resulting in a hard landing and a subsequent loss of directional control. The payload of chemicals was found in the hopper, and the reason why the pilot did not elect to dump the load following the loss of engine power was not determined. The 2005 model airplane sustained major structural damage in the area aft of the engine firewall. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, who traveled to the accident site, revealed less than a cup of fuel in one tank and less than 5 gallons in the other. A completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1) was never received from neither the pilot nor the operator. ## Factual narrative On 1 May 2006, at 0800 central daylight time, a single-engine Air Tractor AT-802A agricultural airplane, N8504T, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a reported loss of engine power near Jasper, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to Ag Pilots, Inc., of Onalaska, Texas, and was being operated by Thrash Aviation. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The local flight originated from the Jasper County Airport (JAS) at time unknown. The turbine powered agricultural airplane was loaded with a payload of 5,500 pounds of chemicals prior to a local aerial application flight. The 8,500-hour non-instrument rated commercial pilot reported to local authorities that while in-flight he experienced some problems with the on-board agricultural-navigation system; however, he elected to proceed to the field to be sprayed. While enroute to the field, the PT6A series engine surged a couple of time and lost power. The pilot attempted to execute a forced landing to a pasture. During the approach, the pilot was forced to make a sharp turn to avoid colliding with a fence, resulting in a hard landing and a loss of directional control. The payload of chemicals was found in the hopper, and the reason why the pilot was unable to dump the load following the loss of engine power was not determined. The 2005 model airplane sustained major structural damage in the area aft of the engine firewall. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, who traveled to the accident site, revealed less of a cup of fuel was found in one tank and less than 5 gallons were found in the other. A completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1) was not received from either the pilot or the operator. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8504T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8504T), registered now, S/N 802A-0218, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-802A - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-802A](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-802a) (registry code 0390308) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 802A-0218 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A 800 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Jimmy Thrash, doing business as Thrash Aviation - Registered owner: AG Pilots Incorporated - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: JAS, Jasper, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: center; flight hours: 8,500 total, 150 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 20060501006959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060501006959A), May 1, 2006: Airtrc AT802A, Woodville, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) Restricted cat ag operating under part 137 with 5500 lbs of fertilizer left jasper, TX (kjas) VFR after a 20 min flt acft eng would not maintain RPM.… ## Other investigations on N8504T (1) 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 ATL07CA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL07CA011), Oct 13, 2006: Air Tractor AT-802A (N8504T), Linden, AL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's attempt to takeoff downwind resulting in the airplane not clearing trees at the end of the runway. 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.