# NTSB ERA12CA275: Air Tractor AT-602, N51037, Ruleville, MS, April 9, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 9, 2012, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Ruleville, MS - Coordinates: 33.575832, -90.551391 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5758&lon=-90.5514&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 15, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA Jackson FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83353 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA275 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83353/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83353 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA275 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and in-flight fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot departed on an aerial application flight with an estimated 53 gallons of fuel. He had not reset the fuel totalizer before departure. He made numerous passes over a 100-acre field spraying fertilizer during the 30 minute flight. After his last pass, the pilot noticed a fuel flow fluctuation. The engine subsequently lost power at an altitude of 75 to 100 feet above the ground, and the pilot made a forced landing. He pulled the airplane off the ground again briefly to clear an obstruction; however, when the airplane touched down again, the left main landing gear sank into soft ground and sheared off. The airplane rotated to the right onto its nose, and the left wing sustained structural damage. Postaccident examination revealed that the left and right main fuel caps had a tight seal and there was no evidence of streaking or venting of fuel on the airplane or on the ground. The left, right, header, and purge fuel tanks were drained and yielded about 34 total ounces of fuel—two ounces from the right fuel tank and 32 ounces from the header tank. The left and purge tanks contained no fuel. No preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures were found that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot departed on an aerial application flight with an estimated 53 gallons of fuel. He had not reset the Shadin fuel totalizer prior to departure. He made numerous passes over a 100 acre field spraying fertilizer. On his last swath run he noticed the fuel flow fluctuate as he started a climb between 75 to 100 feet above ground level. The engine quit and he made a forced landing on a turn road. He observed a standpipe and attempted a lift off to clear the obstruction. The airplane touched down and the left main landing gear sank into soft ground shearing off the landing gear. The airplane rotated to the right onto its nose and back to the left. The left wing sustained structural damage. The total flight time was 30 minutes. The manufacture stated in an email to the NTSB investigator that the fuel burn rate at maximum takeoff power is 89 gallons per hour and the unusable fuel is 6 gallons. Post accident examination of the airplane by an FAA Inspector revealed the left and right main fuel caps had a tight seal. There was no evidence of streaking or venting of fuel on the airplane or on the ground. The fuel caps were removed and no fuel was present. The right fuel tank was sumped and about two ounces of fuel was drained from the fuel tank. The left fuel tank was sumped and no fuel was drained from the fuel tank. The header tank was sumped and about one quart of fuel was sumped from the header tank. The purge tank was sumped and no fuel was present. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N51037](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51037-2023-06-26), registration cancelled 2023-06-26, S/N 602-0464, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT-602 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-602](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-602) (registry code 0390309) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-66 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-66-series) (registry code 52118, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 602-0464 - Airframe hours: 5311 - Engines: P&W CANADA PT6A-66 SER 1050 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Boyle Flying Service Inc - Registered owner: Boyle Flying Service Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 24, 2012, 144 hours before - Departed: Boyle, MS - Destination: Boyle, MS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 17, 2011; seat: front; flight hours: 10,067 total, 2,311 in this make and model, 10,019 as pilot in command, 144 in the last 90 days, 63 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: GWO, 30 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 20120409004619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120409004619A), Apr 9, 2012: Air Tractor Inc AT-602, Drew, MS, Substantial damage. N51037 was being operated by boyle flying service, inc. (kyeg) a 14 CFR part 137 certificate holder at the time of the accident. The PIC was [privacy data… ## Other investigations on N51037 (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 CEN21LA254](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA254), Jun 4, 2021: Air Tractor AT-602 (N51037), Drew, MS, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of control during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined. ## Docket (13 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 10, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83353. 13.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366030&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 580 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366293&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - E mail Air Tractor (item 3, .PDF, 106 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366032&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=E%20mail%20Air%20Tractor-Redacted.PDF - Extract Air Tractor Flight Manual (item 4, .PDF, 248 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366033&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Extract%20Air%20Tractor%20Flight%20Manual-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 Front view of airplane at rest. Photo FAA (item 5, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365991&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20Front%20view%20of%20airplane%20at%20rest.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 2 Close up view of propeller system. Photo FAA (item 6, .PDF, 979 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365995&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20Close%20up%20view%20of%20propeller%20system.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 3 View of right side of airplane. Photo FAA (item 7, .PDF, 830 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365996&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20View%20of%20right%20side%20of%20airplane.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 4 Right rear side view of airplane. Photo FAA (item 8, .PDF, 886 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365998&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20Right%20rear%20side%20view%20of%20airplane.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 5 Left front side view of airplane. Photo FAA (item 9, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365999&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205%20Left%20front%20side%20view%20of%20airplane.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 6 Left side view of airplane. Photo FAA (item 10, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366000&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%206%20Left%20side%20view%20of%20airplane.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 7 Left rear side view of airplane. Photo FAA (item 11, .PDF, 995 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366001&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%207%20Left%20rear%20side%20view%20of%20airplane.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 8 View of Hobbs meter at accident site. Photo FAA (item 12, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366002&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%208%20View%20of%20Hobbs%20meter%20at%20accident%20site.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 9 View of remaining fuel retrieved by FAA from the airplane. Photo FAA (item 13, .PDF, 880 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366003&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%209%20View%20of%20remaining%20fuel%20retrieved%20by%20FAA%20from%20the%20airplane.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF 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.