# NTSB FTW99LA220: Air Tractor AT-401, N1031Q, Humphrey, AR, August 12, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 12, 1999, 07:30 local (12:30 UTC) - Place: Humphrey, AR - Coordinates: 34.420791, -91.69989 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4208&lon=-91.6999&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 30, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47043 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW99LA220 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47043/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA220 ## Probable cause Fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's failure to refuel the airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - fuel system,tank - exhaustion (cause) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment ## Analysis The agricultural airplane impacted a dike during a forced landing following a loss of engine power. The commercial pilot stated that he was returning to his private airstrip after completing a spray run when the engine 'quit suddenly.' The pilot added that the engine restarted; however, it lost power again forcing him to make a landing in a rice field. The FAA inspector stated that the 'left fuel tank was dry and the right fuel tank contained 1 inch of fuel.' He added that the fuel selector was positioned on the left fuel tank. ## Factual narrative On August 12, 1999, at 0730 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-401 agricultural airplane, N1031Q, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Humphrey, Arkansas. The airplane was registered to and operated by Porky's Flying Service of Humphrey, Arkansas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant, 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 operator's private airstrip at 0700. During a telephone interview conducted by the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot stated that he was returning to his private airstrip after completing a spray run when the engine "quit suddenly." The pilot added that the engine restarted; however, it lost power again, forcing him to make a landing in a rice field approximately one mile from the private strip. During the forced landing, the airplane contacted a dike with both wings. According to the FAA inspector, who visited that accident site, the left and right wing spars, three feet inboard of the wing tips, were bent up. The main landing gear collapsed, and the propeller sustained impact damage. The FAA inspector reported that the "left fuel tank was dry and the right fuel tank contained 1 inch of fuel." He added that the fuel selector was positioned on the left fuel tank. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1031Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1031Q-2002-08-29), registration cancelled 2002-08-29, S/N 401-0743 (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: 401-0743 - Airframe hours: 3958 - Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Porky'S Flying Service - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1999, 300 hours before - Departed: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, expired; seat: center; flight hours: 3,000 total, 300 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °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 19990812012029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990812012029A), Aug 12, 1999: Airtrc AT401, Humphrey, AR, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 12, 1999, at 0730 CDT, N1031Q, an air tractor, received substantial damage when it impacted terrain during a forced landing following a loss of… 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.