Fuel exhaustion Accident Air Tractor AT-301 N3166W, Thursday 3 May 2012

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Date:	Thursday 3 May 2012
Time:	17:50 LT
Type:	Air Tractor AT-301
Owner/operator:	Swancutt Aviation Inc
Registration:	N3166W
MSN:	301-0552
Year of manufacture:	1984
Engine model:	Pratt & Whitney R-1340
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Cedar Bluffs, Nebraska - United States of America
Phase:	En route
Nature:	Agricultural
Departure airport:	McCook, KS
Destination airport:	McCook, KS
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
While conducting an aerial application flight, the pilot noticed that the fuel gauge displayed a low quantity. While the pilot attempted to return to an airstrip, the engine stopped producing power. The pilot performed a forced landing in a cornfield. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported in a postaccident statement that he ran out of fuel. Postaccident examination confirmed fuel exhaustion.

Probable Cause: The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

Accident investigation: