What happened
The incident occurred while the pilot was operating an agricultural aircraft on a return flight to the designated landing area after completing a crop dusting mission. During this phase of flight, the engine suddenly stopped, leaving the aircraft without power. The pilot attempted to execute an emergency landing in a nearby field. During the approach and touchdown, the main landing gear struck overhead wires, which caused the aircraft to lose control and turn over before impacting the ground.
The investigation
Post-accident examination of the wreckage revealed that the fuel tanks were completely empty. Further inspection determined that the low-level fuel indicator was inoperative at the time of the flight. Despite the tanks being empty, the fuel gauge displayed a full indication, providing misleading information to the pilot regarding the remaining fuel supply.
Findings
The primary factors contributing to this accident were the fuel exhaustion resulting from the depletion of the onboard fuel supply and the failure of the low-level fuel warning system. The inoperative indicator prevented the pilot from recognizing the critically low fuel state, leading to the eventual engine stoppage.