# NTSB ATL83FA127: Douglas B-26C, N4060A, Hubbards Fork, KY, March 5, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 5, 1983, 17:58 local (22:58 UTC)
- Place: Hubbards Fork, KY
- Coordinates: 37.14981, -83.759994 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1498&lon=-83.7600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5894
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FA127
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5894/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FA127

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT & ACFT HAD BEEN FIGHTING FOREST FIRES EARLIER IN THE DAY. A LATE DEVELOPING FIRE NECESSITATED ANOTHER DISPATCH. THE ACFT ARRIVED ON SCENE & CHECKED IN WITH THE LEAD ACFT CIRCLING OVERHEAD COORDINATING THE FIRE FIGHTING EFFORTS. THE TANKER MADE 2 RUNS OVER THE FIRE AREA FOLLOWING THE LEAD ACFT. AFTER THE 2ND RUN, THE ACFT BANKED LEFT IN A LEVEL TURN TO MAKE ANOTHER RUN WITHOUT USING THE LEAD ACFT. DURING THE 3RD RUN THE TANKER STRUCK TREES NEAR THE TOP OF A 1800 FT RIDGELINE. WITNESSES ON THE GROUND REMARKED HOW LOW THE ACFT WAS. ACCORDING TO THE PLT'S PEERS, HE TOOK PRIDE IN DOING HIS JOB WELL & ALWAYS STROVE TO PUT THE CHEMICAL RIGHT ON TARGET. THERE HAD BEEN OCCASIONS IN THE PAST WHERE THIS ZEAL TO SUCCEED HAD RESULTED IN HIS GOING LOWER THAN THE 150 FT AGL MINIMUM ALTITUDE MANDATED BY FORESTRY SERVICE REGS. HE HAD, ON OCCASIONS, RETURNED TO BASE WITH TREE FOLIAGE STUCK IN HIS AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4060A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4060A-1983-07-28), registration cancelled 1983-07-28, S/N 44-34102A (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DOUGLAS B-26C
- Registry model: [Douglas B-26C](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-b-26c) (registry code 3020524) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 44-34102A
- Airframe hours: 1558
- Engines: P&W R-2800-79 2000 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Public aircraft, Public use
- Registered owner: Dennis Lynch
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 22, 1983, 20 hours before
- Departed: ASHVILLE, NC
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,199 total, 733 in this make and model, 3,829 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 12 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft unknown
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LOZ, 25 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19830305065479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830305065479A), Mar 5, 1983: Doug B26C, Hubbards Fork, KY, Destroyed. Struck trees on top of a ridge during a fire drop run. Wreckage stopped in a ravine. Misjudged pullup altitude.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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