# NTSB FTW74FQG01: Piper PA-18A, N7478D, Plainview, TX, July 20, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: July 20, 1973
- Place: Plainview, TX · PLAINVIEW, TX
- Location: 34.1911° N, 101.7235° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Plainview, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1911&lon=-101.7235&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 189531
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW74FQG01
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW74FQG01

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2004  73/7/20    PLAINVIEW,TEX       PIPER PA-18A        CR-  0  1  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 48, 7000
        TIME - 0725                    N7478D              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        TOTAL HOURS, 6000 IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          PLAINVIEW,TEX               LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               IN FLIGHT: SWATH RUN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED CLEARANCE
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - 6000                       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - GRAIN FIELDS                              TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-TOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -FASTENED-PROPERLY                    GLOVES - NOT 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 -LEVEL,FLAT
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  3500                SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - CROSSWIND
        REMARKS- PLT ATMPTD TO FLY OVER FENCE AND UNDER LOW HANGING WIRES.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7478D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7478D-2017-02-04), registration cancelled 2017-02-04, S/N 18-5813, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18A
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19730720023769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730720023769A), Jul 20, 1973: Piper PA18S125, Plainview, TX, Destroyed. Plt atmptd to fly over fence and under low hanging wires.

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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