On April 4, 2005, an Air Tractor AT-602 (registration N5015K) operated by Top Hat Aerial Applicators Inc was involved in an aviation accident near Imperial, NE. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadequate preflight planning which led to fuel exhaustion and subsequent loss of engine power. The soft ground was a factor. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aerial application airplane was damaged during a forced landing to a field after losing engine power. The pilot had reported fuel remaining, but post-accident examination revealed no usable fuel. Engine functional test found no anomalies.
Accident Details
The accident involved an aerial application airplane that sustained damage during a forced landing to a field following a loss of engine power. According to the pilot, he had approximately 40 minutes of fuel remaining when he exited the last sprayed field. While about 1 mile south of the airport, the engine lost power. The pilot checked the fuel flow meter, which indicated over 30 minutes of fuel remaining, with one tank showing 1/4 and the other showing 1/8. He executed a landing to a field, but the main landing gear sunk into soft dirt, causing the airplane to nose over.
Post-Accident Examination
A post-accident examination of the airplane revealed no usable quantity of fuel remaining in the fuel tanks. Subsequently, the engine was removed and subjected to a functional test on a test stand. The test revealed no anomalies with the engine.
What happened in the 4 Apr 2005 Air Tractor AT-602 accident near Imperial, NE?
An aerial application airplane was damaged during a forced landing to a field after losing engine power. The pilot had reported fuel remaining, but post-accident examination revealed no usable fuel. Engine functional test found no anomalies.
Were there any fatalities in the 4 Apr 2005 Air Tractor AT-602 accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 4 Apr 2005 involved an Air Tractor AT-602, registration N5015K, operated by Top Hat Aerial Applicators Inc, at Imperial, NE.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's inadequate preflight planning which led to fuel exhaustion and subsequent loss of engine power. The soft ground was a factor.
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