# NTSB LAX79DVA48: Air Tractor AT-301, N8578S, Mendota, CA, July 16, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: July 16, 1979
- Place: Mendota, CA · MENDOTA, CA
- Location: 36.7576° N, 120.3805° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Mendota, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7576&lon=-120.3805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 21, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 134648
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX79DVA48
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79DVA48

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2039  79/7/16  NR.MENDOTA,CA         AIR TRACTOR AT-301  CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 39, 7343
        TIME - 1500                    N8578S              PX-  0  0  0  ASSOC CROP CTL ACTIVITY   TOTAL HOURS, 391 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - CHANEY RANCH
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         MENDOTA,CA                   LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           UNDERSHOOT                                               LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED DISTANCE AND ALTITUDE
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - TOMATOES                                  TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-NONTOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                 GLOVES - NOT USED
          GOGGLES - NOT USED                                       CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED                         CRASH BAR - INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - FORWARD OF PILOT
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8578S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8578S-1999-07-13), registration cancelled 1999-07-13, S/N 301-0151 (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: Substantial damage
- Airport: Chaney Ranch

## 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 19790716016439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790716016439A), Jul 16, 1979: Airtrc AT301, Mendota, CA, Substantial damage. Dragged wing tip in cotton field turning final for ag. Strip. Possible down draft factor, pilot error.

## Other investigations on N8578S (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 LAX89DVA10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89DVA10), Sep 13, 1989: Air Tractor AT-301 (N8578S), Mendota, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL BY THE PILOT WHEN HE SLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO BEGIN A SPRAY RUN. CONTRIBUTING TO THE LOSS OF CONTROL WAS THE INOPERATIVE STALL WARNING SYSTEM.

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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