No fatalities

AIR TRACTOR INC AT-502B accident at Topeka, KS, 6 Aug 2021

Topeka, KS, United States

On August 6, 2021, an AIR TRACTOR INC AT-502B operated by McElwain Sprayers, LLC was involved in an aviation accident near Topeka, KS. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s decision to continue low-level aerial application flight maneuvers after the low fuel warning light illuminated, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 13 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

Probable cause

The pilot’s decision to continue low-level aerial application flight maneuvers after the low fuel warning light illuminated, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

— NTSB Determination

Contributing factors

Fluid managementIncorrect use/operationPilot