Winnsboro, LA, USA
N301AF
Air Tractor AT-301
The 8,500-hour commercial pilot was performing aerial application on a field when the engine lost power. During the forced landing into a field, the airplane impacted several small trees before coming to rest in an upright position. The pilot reported the fuel on-board from his last takeoff earlier in the day was 60 gallons. The fuel cells were found to be empty.
On August 25, 2003, about 1630 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301 single-engine tailwheel-equipped airplane, N301AF, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power while maneuvering near Winnsboro, Louisiana. The airplane was owned and operated by Midway Farms, Inc., of Forest, Louisiana. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight originated from the Winnsboro Municipal Airport, near Winnsboro, Louisiana, approximately 1515. On the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the 8,592-hour pilot stated that fuel on-board from his last takeoff earlier in the day was 60 gallons. According to information provided by an FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, the pilot was performing an aerial application on a field when the engine loss power. During the forced landing into a field, the airplane impacted several small trees before coming to rest in an upright position. Examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed that both wings and the left landing gear were sheared from the fuselage, and the fuel cells were empty.
The pilot's inadequate inflight planning, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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