# NTSB MIA90LA001: Air Tractor AT-301, N8842S, Belle Glade, FL, October 2, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 2, 1989, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Belle Glade, FL
- Coordinates: 26.679471, -80.67031 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.6795&lon=-80.6703&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32586
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA90LA001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32586/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90LA001

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION, DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS:  THE TERRAIN CONDITION IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

## 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 - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

NEITHER THE PLT NOR THE OPERATOR CHECKED THE ACFT'S FUEL LEVEL BEFORE THE FLT.  THE PLT RPRTD THAT ABOUT 30 MIN AFTER TAKEOFF, AS HE WAS APPLYING BAIT TO A CANE FIELD, THE ENG LOST POWER.  HE MADE A FORCED LANDING IN THE CANE, BUT THE ACFT WENT INTO A DITCH BEFORE STOPPING.  AN INSPN OF THE FUEL SYS REVEALED ABOUT 1 QT OF FUEL WAS REMAINING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8842S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8842S-2006-08-08), registration cancelled 2006-08-08, S/N 301-0207 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 301-0207
- Airframe hours: 3850
- Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Air Crop Care Inc.
- Registered owner: Aircrop Care Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 2, 1989, 434 hours before
- Departed: X10, BELLE GLADE, FL
- Destination: X10

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 4,285 total, 1,150 in this make and model, 3,988 as pilot in command, 235 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 30,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI, 21 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 19891002066039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891002066039A), Oct 2, 1989: Airtrc AT301, Belle Glade, FL, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel and crash landed in sugar cane and a ditch while spraying rat bait on sugar cane.

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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