# NTSB FTW03LA204: Air Tractor AT-301, N301AF, Winnsboro, LA, August 25, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 25, 2003, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Winnsboro, LA - Coordinates: 32.153057, -91.698333 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1531&lon=-91.6983&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57781 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW03LA204 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57781/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA204 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate inflight planning, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for 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 - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fuel system - exhaustion (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The 8,500-hour commercial pilot was performing aerial application on a field when the engine lost power. During the forced landing into a field, the airplane impacted several small trees before coming to rest in an upright position. The pilot reported the fuel on-board from his last takeoff earlier in the day was 60 gallons. The fuel cells were found to be empty. ## Factual narrative On August 25, 2003, about 1630 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301 single-engine tailwheel-equipped airplane, N301AF, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power while maneuvering near Winnsboro, Louisiana. The airplane was owned and operated by Midway Farms, Inc., of Forest, Louisiana. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight originated from the Winnsboro Municipal Airport, near Winnsboro, Louisiana, approximately 1515. On the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the 8,592-hour pilot stated that fuel on-board from his last takeoff earlier in the day was 60 gallons. According to information provided by an FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, the pilot was performing an aerial application on a field when the engine loss power. During the forced landing into a field, the airplane impacted several small trees before coming to rest in an upright position. Examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed that both wings and the left landing gear were sheared from the fuselage, and the fuel cells were empty. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N301AF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N301AF-2005-08-22), registration cancelled 2005-08-22, S/N 301-0594, built 1984 (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: 301-0594 - Airframe hours: 6197 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney Canada R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Chuck Paris, doing business as Paris Air - Registered owner: Midway Farms, INC. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 4, 2003, 200 hours before - Departed: F89, Winnsboro, LA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review November 21, 2001; seat: center; flight hours: 8,572 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 8,476 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 150 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg ## 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 20030825025249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030825025249A), Aug 25, 2003: Airtrc AT301, Extension, LA, Destroyed. (-23) On August 25, 2003 the pilot was applying chemical fertilizer to 473 acres. Just as the aircraft entered the north end of the field the engine quit… 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.