NTSB Factual Report

On August 6, 2003, about 1950 central daylight time, a North American AT-6D, N9272K, sustained substantial damage during a wheels-up forced landing following an in-flight loss of engine power near Brookings, South Dakota. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The private pilot reported no injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The flight was originating at the time of the accident with an intended destination of Madison, South Dakota.

During a telephone interview, the pilot stated that he had just taken off from the Brookings Municipal Airport and was on downwind for a pass at the field when he lost fuel pressure and engine power. He said that the engine "caught" a couple of times and then quit. He said that he selected a hay field to execute a forced landing to and decided to land wheels up. He stated that he hit a tree in the field during the landing attempt. The pilot said that he did not know how much fuel was on-board the airplane.

According to the Brookings County Sheriff's Department incident report, the pilot reported that he was running out of fuel and was looking for a place to land. As he was traveling north he clipped a tree, struck the ground, and then slid to a stop. The sheriff's department was advised by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to take pictures of the scene and measure the fuel in the tank. There was no fuel in the tank.

NTSB Probable Cause

The inadequate fuel supply for the flight, and the inadequate preflight by the pilot resulting in exhaustion of the fuel supply and subsequent loss of engine power. The tree was a contributing factor.