# NTSB FTW77FRG05: Air Tractor AT-301, N4343S, La Feria, TX, October 22, 1976

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: October 22, 1976
- Place: La Feria, TX · LA FERIA, TX
- Location: 26.1553° N, 97.8250° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of La Feria, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.1553&lon=-97.8250&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 7, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 156310
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW77FRG05
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW77FRG05

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3535  76/10/22   LA FERIA,TX         AIR TRACTOR AT-301  CR-  1  0  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 25, 760
        TIME - 1000                    N4343S              PX-  0  0  0  ASSOC CROP CTL ACTIVITY   TOTAL HOURS, 520 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          LOS FRESNOS,TX              LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: SPIN                                              IN FLIGHT: OTHER
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        REMARKS- DURING FORMATION FLT ACFT DOVE FOR UNKNOWN REASONS. STALLED DURING RECOVERY FROM DIVE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4343S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4343S-1977-01-26), registration cancelled 1977-01-26, S/N 301-0023, built 1975 (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
- 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 19761022037219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19761022037219A), Oct 22, 1976: Airtrc AT301, La Feria, TX, Destroyed. During formation flt acft dove for unknown reasons. Stalled during recovery from dive.

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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