# NTSB GAA18CA371: Air Tractor AT 301, N3169D, Hutchinson, MN, June 20, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 20, 2018, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Hutchinson, MN - Coordinates: 44.512779, -94.300003 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5128&lon=-94.3000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97554 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA371 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97554/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97554 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA371 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper preflight fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the subsequent total loss of engine power. ## 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-301, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=0390103), [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 level (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Terrain: wet/muddy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/cases.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/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: Aircraft loading event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/010); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/010/sequence.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 84 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/010/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, during an agricultural application flight, he accidentally loaded more fertilizer to disperse than he had initially planned, which made the airplane "heavy." He chose not to add fuel to prevent the airplane from being over its gross weight. During flight, the engine lost power, and the pilot conducted a forced landed in a dirt field that was water-logged due to recent storms. During the landing roll, the airplane nosed over. The pilot reported that "I misjudged what I believed to be a safe quantity of fuel remaining." The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, during an aerial application flight the pilot took onboard more product to disperse than he had initially planned. The airplane was heavy, and he chose not to take on additional fuel, to prevent an over-gross weight scenario. However, during flight the engine lost power and he forced landed in a dirt field that was water-logged due to recent storms. During the landing roll, the airplane nosed over. The pilot reported that, "I misjudged what I believed to be a safe quantity of fuel remaining." The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3169D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3169D), registered now, S/N 301-0569, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT 301 (NO SERIES) - 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: 301-0569 - Year built: 1984 - Engines: Pratt and Whitney R1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Classic Arrow Inc - Registered owner: Classic Arrow Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 10, 2018 - Departed: HCD, Hutchinson, MN - Destination: HCD, Hutchinson, MN - Airport: HCD, Hutchinson Muni-Butler Field - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 27, 2017; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 3,350 total, 40 in this make and model, 3,290 as pilot in command, 152 in the last 90 days, 152 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: KHCD, 2 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 20180620017049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180620017049A), Jun 20, 2018: Air Tractor Inc AT-301, Hutchinson, MN, Substantial damage. Pilot stated he ran out of fuel returning to airport. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 20, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97554. 3.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469757&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 119 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469758&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.