# NTSB ATL89DKG04: Air Tractor AT-301, N8773S, Americus, GA, June 29, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: June 29, 1989, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Americus, GA
- Coordinates: 32.070461, -84.220825 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0705&lon=-84.2208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7828
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89DKG04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7828/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89DKG04

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY SURVEY THE AREA IN WHICH HE WOULD BE CONDUCTING AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHTS AND HIS FAILURE TO SEE AND AVOID POWERLINES WHILE PERFORMING AERIAL APPLICATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - wire,transmission (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS AT THE START OF A SWATH RUN TO SPRAY A PEANUT FIELD AND CONTACTED THE LOWER THREE WIRES OF POWER LINES. PART OF THE LEFT WING TIP WAS SEVERED AND THE ACFT MADE INITIAL CONTACT WITH THE GROUND APPROXIMATELY 450 FEET FROM THE POWER LINES. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME OF THE OCCURRENCE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO INDICATION OF A SYSTEM OR MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. AUTOPSY/TOXICOLOGY RESULTS WERE NEGATIVE FOR ALCOHOL, DRUGS, CYANIDE AND OTHER COMPOUNDS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8773S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8773S-1990-07-17), registration cancelled 1990-07-17, S/N 3010189 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR AT-301
- Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-301) (registry code 0390103) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 301-0189
- Airframe hours: 2921
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN-1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Jack Musselwhite
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 20, 1989, 150 hours before
- Departed: ACJ, AMERICUS, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,000 total, 3,500 in this make and model, 4,550 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19890629018329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890629018329A), Jun 29, 1989: Airtrc AT301, Americus, GA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Clipped off five feet of left wing hitting a powerline. Crashed out of control.

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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