# NTSB FTW82DRJ13: Air Tractor 301, N4437S, Clarksville, TX, July 1, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1982, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Clarksville, TX
- Location: 33.6110° N, 95.0563° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Clarksville, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6110&lon=-95.0563&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 uninjured; on the ground: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 1, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70265
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82DRJ13
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70265/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DRJ13

## 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 - other person
  - procedures/directives - not followed, ground personnel (cause)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, ground personnel (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE BRIEFED THE TWO FLAGMEN ABOUT MOVING TO NEXT ROW AS SOON AS THE AIRCRAFT WAS LINED UP ON THE SWATH RUN. BOTH FLAGMEN MOVED PROPERLY UNTIL ON THE FATAL PASS ONE FLAGMAN DID NOT MOVE AND THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK HIM. THE FLAGMAN STRUCK BY THE AIRCRAFT DID NOT HAVE PRIOR EXPERIENCE AS A FLAGMAN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4437S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4437S-1996-09-05), registration cancelled 1996-09-05, S/N 3010097 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR 301
- Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-301) (registry code 0390103) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 301-0097
- Airframe hours: 2500
- Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Hornbeck Flying Service
- Registered owner: Hornbeck Flying Service
- Departed: CLARKSVILLE, TX
- Destination: CLARKSVILLE, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,338 total, 43 in this make and model, 1,167 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 198 °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 19820701026879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820701026879A), Jul 1, 1982: Airtrc AT301, Clarksville, TX. Ag aircraft struck and killed flagman during spray run.

## Other investigations on N4437S (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 FTW93LA114](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA114), Mar 30, 1993: Air Tractor AT-301 (N4437S), Des Arc, AR, destroyed. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S LOSS OF OUTSIDE VISUAL REFERENCE AND LOSS OF CONTROL.

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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