Incident Overview
On 9 March 2022 at 19:30 UTC, an Air Tractor AT-402B, registration LV-JQL, departed from its base at Charata, Chaco, at 18:00 UTC for an aerial application flight. After about 90 minutes of flight in visual meteorological conditions, during the cruise phase, the engine stopped. The pilot attempted an inflight restart without success. He then decided to conduct an emergency landing on National Route 89, which he was overflying. During the landing procedure, the aircraft's left wingtip struck a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction, causing the aircraft to come to a stop on the roadside shoulder. The pilot was uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the landing gear, wings, and propeller.
Investigation
Junta de Seguridad en el Transporte (JST) investigators examined the aircraft and found no apparent failures in the aircraft systems or engine. However, both wing fuel tanks were empty. The operator and pilot stated they were uncertain about the cause of the engine stoppage. The pilot reported not noticing any changes in the fuel quantity indicators or activation of the low-fuel warning system.
Fuel Status
The aircraft had two fuel tanks, one in each wing. At the time of the accident, both tanks were found completely empty. The fuel quantity indicators and warning system were examined but no anomalies were noted in the cockpit. The source classified the event as "Relacionado con el combustible" (related to fuel).