# NTSB MKC85LA184: Air Tractor AT301, N8541S, Oakley, KS, August 13, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1985, 20:30 local (Aug 13, 1985, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Oakley, KS
- Coordinates: 39.119953, -100.84909 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1200&lon=-100.8491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34006
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85LA184
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34006/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA184

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - precautionary landing - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - fence
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

N8541S COLLIDED WITH A FENCE AND CRASHED WHILE ATTEMPTING A FORCED LANDING. THE PLT REPORTS THAT IT TOOK LONGER THAN EXPECTED TO DISPENSE HIS CHEMICAL LOAD AND HE WAS CRITICALLY LOW ON FUEL WHEN HE DEPARTED THE WORKING AREA FOR THE ARPT. HE GOT TO WITHIN 2 1/2 MI OF THE ARPT WHEN THE ENG QUIT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8541S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8541S-2024-12-21), registration cancelled 2024-12-21, S/N 301-0140, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT301
- 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: 301-0140
- Airframe hours: 2175
- Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Bringham Flying Sevice, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 16, 1985, 335 hours before
- Departed: OEL, OAKLEY, KS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 6,940 total, 1,376 in this make and model, 6,820 as pilot in command, 203 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19850812038499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850812038499A), Aug 12, 1985: Airtrc AT301, Oakley, KS, Substantial damage. Engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion. Landing gear struck a fence during emergency landing flipping aircraft.

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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