NTSB Factual Report

On July 1, 2000, about 1600 central daylight time, a Cessna A188B, N53208, registered to and operated by CPS Flying Service, Inc., crashed while making a forced landing following loss of engine power, 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 Belzoni, Mississippi, the same day, about 1550.

The pilot stated he landed at 1540, after an aerial application flight to reload chemicals and refuel the aircraft. He parked at the loading area and as the chemicals were being loaded, he talked with the customer about what fields were to be sprayed next. After chemical loading was finished he taxied for takeoff, without realizing that he had not refueled the aircraft. At takeoff, the left fuel tank gauge showed empty and the right fuel tank gauge showed 1/4 to 1/2 full. He departed about 1550. After arriving over the field, which was about 4 miles from the airport, he completed two swath runs. As he pulled up out of the field on the third swath run, the engine surged. He turned to the left to set up for a landing in the field. The engine regained power and then surged and quit. The aircraft pancaked into the field and the landing gear folded. The aircraft slid about 100 feet and came to rest.

Postcrash examination of the aircraft by an FAA inspector showed the aircraft's fuel tanks contained no usable fuel.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to refuel prior to departure resulting in loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.