# NTSB MIA98LA188: Air Tractor AT-502, N10349, Okeechobee, FL, July 6, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 6, 1998, 09:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Okeechobee, FL
- Coordinates: 27.50007, -80.930541 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.5001&lon=-80.9305&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 31, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38538
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA98LA188
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38538/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA188

## Probable cause

the pilot's improper planning/decision, by failing to ensure the aircraft contained adequate fuel to complete the flight, which led to fuel exhaustion, loss of engine power, and a forced landing.  Obstructions (trees and guardrail) in the emergency landing area were related factors.

## Analysis

The pilot stated that while returning to the departure strip after aerial application of chemicals, the engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion. While landing on a road, the aircraft collided with a tree and a guardrail.

## Factual narrative

On July 6, 1998, about 0900 eastern daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502, N10349, registered to Air Crop Care, Inc., collided with trees while making a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Okeechobee, Florida, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed, The aircraft received substantial damage and the commercial-rated pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Okeechobee, Florida, the same day, about 0800.

The pilot stated he was returning to a grass strip from which he was operating after completing his second spray operation of the day. The engine failed due to fuel exhaustion and as he was landing on a road, the left wing collided with a tree. The aircraft spun to the left and collided with a guard rail.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel management - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - other (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N10349](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N10349-1999-06-28), registration cancelled 1999-06-28, S/N 502-0079 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-502
- Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-502](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-502) (registry code 0390303) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 502-0079
- Airframe hours: 5352
- Engines: P&W PT6-15AG 715 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Air Crop Care, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 5, 1998, 2 hours before
- Departed: FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 5,994 total, 340 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PGD, 80 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 19980706021149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980706021149A), Jul 6, 1998: Airtrc AT502, Okeechobee, FL, Substantial damage. Fuel exhausttion returning to base after spray operation. Wing hit a tree landing on a road. (-23) on 07/06/98 about 0620 EDT pilot departed belle glade…

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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