# NTSB FTW94LA200: Air Tractor AT-401, N10112, Pioneer, LA, June 16, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 16, 1994, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Pioneer, LA
- Coordinates: 32.729091, -91.430419 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7291&lon=-91.4304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19089
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA200
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19089/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA200

## Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL. A FACTOR WAS A 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(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system - exhaustion (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

THE PILOT DID NOT REFUEL PRIOR TO THE LAST AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT FOR THE MORNING. AT 50 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND DURING THE LEFT CROSSWIND INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF THE  FUEL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON. A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER OCCURRED. DURING THE FORCED LANDING IN ROUGH TERRAIN THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. STRUCTURAL DAMAGE OCCURRED TO THE FUSELAGE, VERTICAL STABILIZER, AND LEFT WING. THE PILOT SAID THE AIRPLANE 'RAN OUT OF FUEL.'

## Factual narrative

On June 16, 1994, at 1200 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-401, N10112, sustained substantial damage near Pioneer, Louisiana, during a forced landing.  The commercial pilot received minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial application flight.

During interviews, conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot reported the fuel pressure light came on during the takeoff initial climb about 50 feet above the ground as the crosswind turn was initiated.  During the forced landing roll in rough terrain, the main gear collapsed and the airplane came to rest inverted.  Structural damage occurred to the fuselage, vertical stabilizer, and left wing. This was the last flight for the morning and the pilot did not refuel.  The pilot said the airplane "ran out of fuel."

The operator reported the airplane "ran too low on gas."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N10112](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N10112-2019-02-22), registration cancelled 2019-02-22, S/N 401-0710, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR AT-401
- Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-401](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-401) (registry code 0390204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 401-0701
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Rye, Steven D.
- Registered owner: Rye Farms
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 4,594 total, 180 in this make and model, 4,594 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F

## 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 19940616015379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940616015379A), Jun 16, 1994: Airtrc AT401, Pioneer, LA, Substantial damage. Failed to refuel for last spray run engine quit on climbout. Landed rough terrain. Nosed over. Out of fuel.

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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