# NTSB FTW91DRG04: Air Tractor AT-402, N4523L, Taft, TX, July 21, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: July 21, 1991, 15:54 local (20:54 UTC)
- Place: Taft, TX
- Coordinates: 27.980504, -97.389549 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9805&lon=-97.3895&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 9, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23231
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91DRG04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23231/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91DRG04

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER TERRAIN CLEARANCE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ON THE FOURTH AERIAL APPLICATION PASS THE AIRPLANE PASSED UNDER POWER LINES AND INITIATED A CLIMB OVER A ROAD EMBANKMENT.  THE MAIN LANDING GEAR STRUCK THE EMBANKMENT AND THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST 296 FEET FROM INITIAL IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4523L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4523L), registered now, S/N 402-0757 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-402
- Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-402](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-402) (registry code 0390205) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0757
- Engines: P&W PT6A-27 680 horsepower turbo jet
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Hunts Dusting Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Hunts Dusting Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 18, 1991, 20 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 7,861 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 6,427 as pilot in command, 350 in the last 90 days, 250 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 14 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19910721028679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910721028679A), Jul 21, 1991: Airtrc AT402, Taft, TX, Minor damage. On spray pass flew under wires at end of field and struck embankment.

## Other investigations on N4523L (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 FTW99LA226](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA226), Aug 17, 1999: Air Tractor AT-402 (N4523L), Snyder, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as result of a leak in the engine fuel control. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

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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