On 20 Jun 2018, an AIR TRACTOR INC AT 301 NO SERIES operated by CLASSIC ARROW INC was involved in an aviation accident near Hutchinson, MN. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s improper preflight fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the subsequent total loss of engine power. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During an aerial application flight, the pilot misjudged fuel quantity, leading to engine power loss and a forced landing in a waterlogged field where the aircraft nosed over, resulting in substantial damage.
Incident Overview
A tailwheel-equipped airplane, engaged in aerial application operations, experienced an engine power loss during flight. The pilot subsequently executed a forced landing in a dirt field that had become waterlogged due to recent storms. During the landing roll, the aircraft nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the rudder and vertical stabilizer.
Pilot Account
The pilot reported that he had taken onboard more product to disperse than initially planned, making the airplane heavy. To avoid an over-gross weight condition, he chose not to add additional fuel. He stated, "I misjudged what I believed to be a safe quantity of fuel remaining." The pilot further noted that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.