What happened
The aircraft, N8541S, was engaged in agricultural operations when it ultimately crashed following an attempt to execute a forced landing. According to the pilot's report, the flight phase involved dispensing a chemical load over a designated working area. The pilot indicated that the application process took longer than initially anticipated.
After completing the task, the pilot departed the working area and headed toward the airport. However, due to the extended time spent on the ground operations, the fuel supply was critically low at the time of departure. While en route, the aircraft traveled approximately 2.5 miles from the work site before the engine ceased operation. The cessation of power was attributed to fuel exhaustion. Unable to maintain altitude or reach the runway, the pilot attempted a forced landing in the vicinity. During this maneuver, the aircraft collided with a fence and subsequently crashed.
The investigation
The primary finding from the operational narrative is that the engine quit due to fuel exhaustion. No mechanical failure of the airframe or propulsion system prior to the fuel depletion was reported. The sequence of events was driven by the miscalculation of fuel requirements relative to the duration of the chemical application.
Findings
The accident was caused by the pilot's decision to depart the working area with insufficient fuel reserves. The critical factor was the underestimation of the time required to dispense the chemical load, which left the aircraft critically low on fuel before it could reach a safe landing site.