On May 24, 1995, an Air Tractor AT301 (registration N4353S) was involved in an aviation accident near Clark, SD. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the failure of the pilot to refuel prior to fuel exhaustion. A factor in the accident was the pilot's excessive braking. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aerial application aircraft experienced a total loss of engine power after the pilot misjudged fuel quantity, resulting in a forced landing on a field and the aircraft coming to rest inverted.
Incident Summary
Approximately one and a half hours into an aerial application flight, the pilot observed the left fuel tank gauge indicating below one-quarter tank. He then switched the fuel tank selector to the right tank, whose gauge read empty. The pilot immediately switched back to the left tank and began heading back to the airport, believing he had enough fuel to reach it.
Events During Flight
About eight miles from the airport, the low pressure warning light illuminated. While the pilot was preparing to make an emergency landing on a road, the engine lost all power.
Forced Landing and Aftermath
The pilot executed a forced landing on a field. After touchdown, he applied heavy braking in an attempt to avoid a fence. The airplane came to rest in an inverted position.