# NTSB FTW68F0548: Piper PA-18A, N4578A, Watonga, OK, April 13, 1968

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: April 13, 1968
- Place: Watonga, OK · WATONGA, OK
- Location: 35.8475° N, 98.4027° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Watonga, OK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8475&lon=-98.4027&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1968
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 111379
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW68F0548
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW68F0548

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1069  68/4/13    WATONGA,OKLA        PIPER PA-18A        CR-  1  0  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1940                    N4578A              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        AGE 45, 4000 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            2000 IN TYPE, NOT
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               IN FLIGHT: PROCEDURE TURNAROUND
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL -  200                       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - GRAIN FIELDS                              TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-TOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                 GLOVES - USED
          GOGGLES - NOT USED                                       CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE-NOT USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED                         CRASH BAR - NOT INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - AFT OF PILOT                      TERRAIN-TYPE -ROLLING
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  1500                SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - CROSSWIND
          PROCEDURE TURNAROUND - THIRD 1/3 TURN
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- STRUCK 30 FT POWER LINE SPRAYING AT DUSK.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4578A (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18A
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

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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