# NTSB FTW93LA114: Air Tractor AT-301, N4437S, Des Arc, AR, March 30, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 30, 1993, 09:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Des Arc, AR
- Coordinates: 34.969005, -91.4999 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9690&lon=-91.4999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 10, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18719
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18719/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA114

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S LOSS OF OUTSIDE VISUAL REFERENCE AND LOSS OF CONTROL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - weather condition - lightning
  - visual lookout - reduced, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING AGRICULTURE SPRAYING OPERATIONS THE WEATHER CONDITIONS BEGAN TO DETERIORATE. HE DECIDED TO RETURN TO HIS PRIVATE AIR STRIP. DURING THE RETURN FLIGHT LIGHTNING STRUCK IN CLOSE PROXIMATELY TO THE AIRCRAFT, RESULTING IN PILOT'S LOSS OF OUTSIDE VISUAL REFERENCES. THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED OUT OF CONTROL TO GROUND IMPACT. JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO LEVEL THE WINGS OF THE AIRPLANE.

## Factual narrative

On March 30, 1993, at approximately 0915 central standard time (CST) an Air Tractor AT 301, N4437S, was destroyed on ground impact following a wire strike near Hickory Plains, Arkansas. The commercial pilot, also the owner and operator, was not injured. Weather was visual meteorological conditions.

The pilot reported to a Federal Aviation inspector that as he was maneuvering for continued spraying operations lightning struck an electrical power line to his immediate front. He reported that the bright flash caused him to lose his sight momentarily and he flew into the wire and descended uncontrollably to ground impact.

## 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 AT-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: 5600
- Engines: P&W R1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Mcconnaughhay, Kenneth W., doing business as Kens Flying Service
- Registered owner: Mcconnaughhay, Ken
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 12, 1992, 85 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 5,431 total, 80 in this make and model, 5,330 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19930330007419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930330007419A), Mar 30, 1993: Airtrc AT301, Des Arc, AR, Destroyed. Thunderstorm moved in while returning to base. Pilot blames lightning strike close by. Lost visual control. Crashed

## 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 FTW82DRJ13](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DRJ13), Jul 1, 1982: Air Tractor 301 (N4437S), Clarksville, TX, no damage, 1 fatal

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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