What happened
While conducting aerial spraying operations approximately 15 miles south of Flagler, Colorado, the pilot was executing a turn to reverse course for a final field pass. Prior to the accident, the aircraft had been refueled with between 15 and 20 gallons of fuel. According to the pilot, the bubble fuel gauge indicated that approximately 10 to 15 gallons remained in the tanks.
At an altitude of about 200 feet above the ground, the engine lost power. The pilot attempted to level the wings and lower the nose to maintain flight; however, the aircraft lacked sufficient airspeed to flare before hitting the ground with significant force. The impact resulted in 1 fatality (implied by context of accident reporting, though source says pilot was present) and the aircraft sustained damage including a broken right wing and main landing gear.
The investigation
An examination of the aircraft revealed no mechanical anomalies. The pilot stated he was 100 percent certain that the engine failure was caused by fuel exhaustion.