DEN00LA090

Factual narrative

On May 18, 2000, approximately 1000 mountain daylight time, an Eagle DW-1, N8803H, registered to and operated by Parowan Crop Dusting Services, Inc., was substantially damaged when it landed hard at Boulder, Utah. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant aboard, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local aerial application flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 137. The flight originated at Parowan, Utah, approximately 0510. According to the pilot's accident report, he departed Parowan with a full load of chemical (165 gallons of Malathion ULV) and full fuel (60 gallons) en route to Boulder (total payload approximately 1700 pounds). The route of flight was south to Huricane Mesa, east to Bryce Canyon and Escalante, thence to Boulder. Towards the end of the aerial application (1,100+ acres), wind velocity began increasing and, noticing that the fuel gauge registered 1/8 to 1/4 fuel remaining, the pilot turned towards Escalante, where he planned to land and refuel. Over Boulder, the fuel gauge indicated empty. The pilot briefly considered landing at Boulder, but decided the unimproved airstrip was inadequate. Five miles from Escalante and 2 miles past Boulder, the pilot realized the terrain ahead was not conducive to a forced landing. He turned back towards the Boulder airstrip. The engine lost power 1/2-mile from the airstrip. Activating the boost pump resulted in 2 seconds of engine power, enough for the airplane to cross the runway threshold. Airspeed had deteriorated to 60 mph and the airplane landed hard. The nose started to "dip" and the pilot applied full nose up elevator. The airplane continued to nose over, crushing the vertical stabilizer. The pilot departed Parowan, Utah, with a full load of chemical (165 gallons of Malathion ULV) and full fuel (60 gallons) en route to Boulder, Utah, (total payload approximately 1700 pounds). Towards the end of the aerial application (1,100+ acres), wind velocity began increasing and, noticing that the fuel gauge registered 1/8 to 1/4 fuel remaining, the pilot turned towards Escalante, where he planned to land and refuel. Over Boulder, the fuel gauge indicated empty. The pilot briefly considered landing at Boulder, but decided the unimproved airstrip was inadequate. Five miles from Escalante and 2 miles past Boulder, the pilot realized the terrain ahead was not conducive to a forced landing. He turned back towards the Boulder airstrip. The engine lost power 1/2-mile from the airstrip. Activating the boost pump resulted in 2 seconds of engine power, enough for the airplane to cross the runway threshold. Airspeed had deteriorated to 60 mph and the airplane landed hard. The nose started to 'dip' and the pilot applied full nose up elevator. The airplane continued to nose over, crushing the vertical stabilizer. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12