Accident Air Tractor AT-502B N243LA, Tuesday 8 October 2024

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Date:	Tuesday 8 October 2024
Time:	11:30 LT
Type:	Air Tractor AT-502B
Owner/operator:	Lakeland Dusters Aviation Inc
Registration:	N243LA
MSN:	502B-3020
Year of manufacture:	2015
Total airframe hrs:	5020 hours
Engine model:	Pratt and Whitney Canada PT6-34AG
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Corcoran, CA - United States of America
Phase:	Approach
Nature:	Agricultural
Departure airport:	Corcoran Airport, CA (43CN)
Destination airport:	Corcoran Airport, CA (43CN)
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
According to the pilot, while maneuvering from base to final, he noticed the fuel control condition lever was in the cut-off position, which subsequently resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power. He immediately pushed the power, propeller, and condition levers full forward, but did not observe an expected increase in power. After an unsuccessful attempt to restart the engine, the airplane landed in a cotton field short of the intended runway. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that substantial damage to the left wing and aileron. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause: A total loss of engine power due to the pilot's improper manipulation of the condition lever during flight, which resulted in fuel starvation and a forced landing.

Accident investigation: