# NTSB FTW87DRG04: Air Tractor AT301, N4407S, Santa Rosa, TX, July 21, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: July 21, 1987, 08:45 local (13:45 UTC)
- Place: Santa Rosa, TX
- Coordinates: 26.249641, -97.819999 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.2496&lon=-97.8200&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22212
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87DRG04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22212/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87DRG04

## 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
  - pull-up - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS DUSTING A SUGAR CANE FIELD WHICH BORDERED A DIRT ROAD WITH PARALLEL ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION LINES. THE PILOT HAD BEEN TERMINATING HIS SWATH RUNS BY FLYING UNDERNEATH THE ELECTRICAL WIRES AT THE EDGE OF THE FIELD. TO PREVENT BECOMING A HAZARD TO AN AUTOMOBILE ON THE ROAD, HE PLANNED TO TERMINATE THE SWATH RUN ON WHICH THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED BY PULLING UP AND FLYING OVER THE WIRES. HE DELAYED IN INITIATING THE PULL-UP AND AS A RESULT, IMPACTED THE UPPER (STATIC) WIRE OF THE POWER LINE. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND BEYOND THE ROADWAY IN ANOTHER SUGAR CANE FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4407S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4407S-1988-11-25), registration cancelled 1988-11-25, S/N 3010067 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT301
- Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-301) (registry code 0390103) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 301-0067
- Airframe hours: 4332
- Engines: P&W R1340-AMI 550 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Larry Skalitsky
- Registered owner: Rio Grande Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 23, 1987, 100 hours before
- Departed: SANTA ROSA, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 9,200 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 8,350 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HRL, 10 nm away

## 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 19870721039729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870721039729A), Jul 21, 1987: Airtrc AT301, Santa Rosa, TX, Destroyed. The aircraft hit a wire during agricultural spray operations. The pilot misjudged distance from the static line.

## Other investigations on N4407S (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 FTW81DRJ27](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81DRJ27), Jul 28, 1981: Air Tractor AT-301 (N4407S), Monroe, LA, 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.

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