MIA95LA233

The pilot was maneuvering on a swath run at about 100 to 140 feet AGL when the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. During the forced landing the airplane collided with trees and crashed in a corn field. Before the flight thirty-five gallons of fuel was added to the left fuel tank. No fuel was added to the right fuel tank. The airplane flew 25 minutes, landed, departed 5 minutes later, and flew an additional 20 minutes before the engine quit. Examination of the engine assembly and accessories by the FAA revealed no evidence of a precrash failure or malfunction. Four or five drops of fuel was present in the carburetor bowl. No fuel was present in the engine driven fuel pump, airframe fuel valve, fuel manifold or wobble pump.

On September 23, 1995, about 1845 central daylight time, an Air Tractor, 301, N5095S, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight, experienced a reported total loss of engine power while maneuvering on a swath run. The airplane collided with trees and sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported no injuries. The airplane departed from a private strip in the vicinity of Kenton, Tennessee, about 20 minutes before the accident.

The pilot stated his loader added 35 gallons of fuel to the left fuel tank before he departed on an aerial application flight. No fuel was added to the right tank. He flew 25 minutes and returned to the private strip, landed, and taxied to the ramp. The loader added more chemicals to the airplane with the engine running at idle power. He departed on the second flight about 5 minutes later. He had been flying about 20 minutes when the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power at about 100 to 140 feet agl on a swath run. The airplane collided with trees and crashed in a corn field. He further stated that during the flight he flew the airplane at 2,100 rpm and 32 inches of manifold pressure. He would reduce his power to 2,000 rpm and 31 inches of manifold pressure as he decreased his load of chemicals on the swath run.

Examination of the airplane by the FAA revealed no evidence of a precrash failure or malfunction of the airframe or flight control system. A faint odor of fuel was present at the crash site. The left and right fuel tanks were not ruptured. No fuel was present in the fuel tanks. The drain plug was removed from the carburetor bowl, and four or five drops of fuel came out.

Examination of the engine assembly and accessories was conducted by an airframe and powerplant mechanic in the presence of the FAA. There was no evidence of a precrash failure or malfunction. No fuel was present in the engine-driven fuel pump, airframe fuel valve, fuel manifold and wobble pump.(See FAA Aviation Safety Inspector's Statement.)

Review of Air Tractor Airplane Flight Manual for the 301 indicates the airplane has a maximum fuel capacity of 76 gallons. Six gallons of fuel are unusable.

Review of Pratt & Whitney Specific Operating Instructions for the WASP S3H1 and S3H1-6 engines revealed at 2,100 rpm and 32 inches of manifold pressure, the approximate fuel burn rate per hour is 45 gallons. At 2,000 rpm and 31 inches of manifold pressure the approximate fuel burn rate per hour is 41.4 gallons.