# NTSB FTW04LA132: Air Tractor AT-301, N3168H, Donna, TX, May 21, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 21, 2004, 08:15 local (13:15 UTC) - Place: Donna, TX - Coordinates: 30.81019, -97.599334 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.8102&lon=-97.5993&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 1, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 59267 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW04LA132 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59267/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA132 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the high tension power lines. ## 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 - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - wire,transmission - Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - crop - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The 4,300-hour pilot reported that the airplane collided with power lines while maneuvering during an aerial application flight. The airplane descended and collided with the ground. ## Factual narrative On May 21, 2004, at 0815 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301 single-engine tailwheel-equipped agricultural airplane, N3168H, registered to and operated by Moad Aviation Inc., of Weslaco, Texas, was substantially damaged when it struck a power line and impacted the ground during an aerial application flight near Donna, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained minor 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 flight originated from a private airstrip, near Donna, Texas, at 0740. The 4,300-hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that he had been performing an aerial application on a field using a "squeeze" pattern, starting from the outside of the field moving inwards to the middle. After approximately three-quarters of the field had been sprayed, the pilot changed directions and initiated an entry to the field from another direction. As the pilot was flying downwind under three electrical power lines, the airplane struck two of the lines. Subsequently, the airplane impacted the ground approximately 50 feet from the power lines, and came to rest upright approximately 125 feet from the initial point of impact. Examination of the airplane by the pilot revealed the top portion of the vertical stabilizer and rudder were sheered off. The engine and both main landing gears were separated from the fuselage. Both power lines were severed. The pilot stated in the NTSB Form 6120.1/2 that in-flight visibility was greater than 10 statute miles, wind from the southeast at 8 knots, with a broken layer of clouds at 2,000 feet above ground level. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3168H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3168H-2007-02-07), registration cancelled 2007-02-07, S/N 301-0563, built 1984 (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) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 301-0563 - Airframe hours: 7078 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Moad Aviation Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 11, 2004, 10 hours before - Departed: PVT, Donna, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 15, 2002; seat: center; flight hours: 4,300 total, 210 in this make and model, 3,800 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 8 knots - Visibility: 76 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F ## 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 20040521011039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040521011039A), May 21, 2004: Airtrc AT301, Donna, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On may 21, 2004, thomas o. eskind, holder of commercial pilot certificate no. 1766714, acted as pilot in command of air tractor AT-301, N3168H. The… ## Other investigations on N3168H (1) 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. - [NTSB FTW86FRG20](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86FRG20), May 21, 1986: Air Tractor AT301 (N3168H), Taylor, TX, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.