# NTSB FTW01LA011: Air Tractor AT-301, N3165G, Littlefield, TX, October 18, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 18, 2000, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Littlefield, TX
- Coordinates: 33.910049, -102.330314 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9100&lon=-102.3303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 19, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 50500
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW01LA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50500/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA011

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with a guy wire while maneuvering during an aerial application flight.

## 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 - guy wire
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The agricultural airplane was spraying a cotton field approximately 5 feet about the ground, when the right wing struck a guy wire extending out from a transmission line, which ran along the south edge of the field.  This was the pilot's first pass on the field, and he was flying from west to east parallel to the transmission line and perpendicular to the guy wire.  The guy wire extended into the cotton field and stabilized a pole.  The wire struck about 4 feet in from the right wing tip and tore the end of the wing off.  The airplane impacted the ground within 600 feet of the wire strike and a fire erupted.

## Factual narrative

On October 18, 2000, at 1130 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301 agricultural aircraft, N3165G, was destroyed after impacting wires and terrain while maneuvering near Littlefield, Texas.  The aircraft was owned and operated by Burkett Flying Service of Sinton, Texas.  The commercial pilot, sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight.  The local boll weevil eradication flight originated from the Littlefield Municipal Airport at an undetermined time.

According to the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, the airplane was spraying a cotton field approximately 5 feet about the ground, when the right wing struck a guy wire extending out from a transmission line, which ran along the south edge of the field.  This was the pilot's first pass of the field.  He was flying from west to east parallel to the transmission line and perpendicular to the guy wire.  The guy wire extended into the cotton field and stabilized a pole.  The wire struck about 4 feet in from the right wing tip and tore the end of the wing off.  The airplane impacted the ground within 600 feet of the wire strike and a fire ensued.

The Lubbock County Medical Examiner's Office performed an autopsy on the pilot.  There was no evidence found of any preexisting disease that could have contributed to the accident.

Toxicological tests performed by the FAA's Toxicology and Accident Research Laboratory were negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, alcohol, and drugs.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3165G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3165G-2001-04-13), registration cancelled 2001-04-13, S/N 301-0546 (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: 301-0546
- Airframe hours: 3165
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Jim Burkett
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: Q00

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 75; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 26,429 total, 1,150 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 20001018017169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20001018017169A), Oct 18, 2000: Littlefield, TX, No damage. (-23) On October 18, 2000 at 1130 local time the pilot of an air tractor AT-301 struck a guy wire extending out from a transmission line which ran along the…

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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