# NTSB LAX89DUG09: Air Tractor AT-301A, N3654N, Blythe, CA, September 22, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: September 21, 1989, 18:58 local (Sep 22, 1989, 01:58 UTC)
- Place: Blythe, CA
- Coordinates: 33.750083, -114.509552 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7501&lon=-114.5096&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26126
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89DUG09
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26126/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89DUG09

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO VERIFY THE FUEL SUPPLY PRIOR TO TAKEOFF.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - aerial application
  - aircraft preflight - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF A SPRAY PLANE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING A SPRAY RUN. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED INTO A SOFT FIELD AND WENT OVER ONTO ITS BACK. THE PILOT THOUGHT THE GROUND LOADER HAD REFUELED THE AIRCRAFT BETWEEN SPRAY RUNS AS WAS CUSTOMARY. THE PILOT DID NOT VISUALLY VERIFY THE FUEL LOAD IN THE TANKS AND HAD RELIED ON THE FUEL GAUGE WHICH INDICATED A PARTIAL FUEL LOAD IN ONE WING. THERE WERE NO REPORTED MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURE WITH THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3654N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3654N), registered now, S/N 301-0289 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR AT-301A
- 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: 0289
- Airframe hours: 5246
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Cyr Aviation
- Registered owner: Jack Beadle
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 11, 1989, 26 hours before
- Departed: BLYTHE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 10,800 total, 5,000 in this make and model, 10,560 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 160 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 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 19890921035969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890921035969A), Sep 21, 1989: Airtrc AT301, Blythe, CA, Substantial damage. Failed to ascertain that ground crew gassed aircraft. Ran out of fuel on a spray run. Gas gauge read in error.

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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