Summary
On July 06, 1998, a Air Tractor AT-502 (N10349) was involved in an incident near Okeechobee, FL. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's improper planning/decision, by failing to ensure the aircraft contained adequate fuel to complete the flight, which led to fuel exhaustion, loss of engine power, and a forced landing. Obstructions (trees and guardrail) in the emergency landing area were related factors.
On July 6, 1998, about 0900 eastern daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502, N10349, registered to Air Crop Care, Inc., collided with trees while making a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Okeechobee, Florida, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed, The aircraft received substantial damage and the commercial-rated pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Okeechobee, Florida, the same day, about 0800.
The pilot stated he was returning to a grass strip from which he was operating after completing his second spray operation of the day. The engine failed due to fuel exhaustion and as he was landing on a road, the left wing collided with a tree.
This incident is documented in NTSB report MIA98LA188. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N10349.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilot's improper planning/decision, by failing to ensure the aircraft contained adequate fuel to complete the flight, which led to fuel exhaustion, loss of engine power, and a forced landing. Obstructions (trees and guardrail) in the emergency landing area were related factors.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On July 6, 1998, about 0900 eastern daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502, N10349, registered to Air Crop Care, Inc., collided with trees while making a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Okeechobee, Florida, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed, The aircraft received substantial damage and the commercial-rated pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Okeechobee, Florida, the same day, about 0800.
The pilot stated he was returning to a grass strip from which he was operating after completing his second spray operation of the day. The engine failed due to fuel exhaustion and as he was landing on a road, the left wing collided with a tree. The aircraft spun to the left and collided with a guard rail.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# MIA98LA188