NTSB Factual Report

On June 8, 2001, at 1400 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-400 agricultural airplane, N400ZR, was substantially damaged during impact with terrain following a loss of engine power during cruise near Oil Trough, Arkansas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was owned and operated by Hankins Flying Service, of Oil Trough, Arkansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The flight originated from the Hankins Flying Service private grass airstrip at 1350.

On the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot stated that the flight was returning to the airstrip after completing the aerial application of fertilizer onto a rice field. When the airplane was approximately 300-400 feet agl, the "engine started losing power." The pilot turned the fuel boost pump "ON" and dumped the remainder of fertilizer from the airplane's hopper. The pilot attempted a forced landing to a bean field. The airplane cleared a highline, however, it landed in a rice field about 50-70 yards short of the bean field. The pilot stated that, in his opinion, "fuel starvation occurred."

According to the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, the airplane impacted crops, ground looped, and came to rest upright in the field. The FAA inspector found the airplane's fuel tank empty. Both wings were found separated from the fuselage, and the fuselage was found separated in half.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to refuel the airplane which resulted in the loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A contributory factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.