# NTSB LAX82DA046: Air Tractor 301, N8793S, Dos Palos, CA, January 21, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: January 21, 1982, 11:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Dos Palos, CA
- Coordinates: 37.070022, -120.630935 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0700&lon=-120.6309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 21, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70494
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA046
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70494/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA046

## Sequence of events

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

- Main gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload (contributing factor)
  - load jettison - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL THE PILOT DECIDED THAT HE WAS NOT GOING TO CLEAR AN 8 FOOT CHAIN-LINK FENCE AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY. HE STATED THAT HE PULLED THE DUMP-GATE, CHOPPED THE THROTTLE, AND PUT ON THE BRAKE BUT THE AIRCRAFT WENT INTO SOFT DIRT AND THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED BEFORE IT SLID INTO THE FENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8793S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8793S-2008-02-13), registration cancelled 2008-02-13, S/N 301-0195, built 1979 (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)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 301-0195
- Airframe hours: 2290
- Engines: P&W R1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 137
- Operator: Spain-Air Inc.
- Registered owner: Spain-Air Inc.
- Departed: Q38, DOS PALOS, CA
- Destination: Q38, DOS PALOS, CA
- Airport: Q38, Spain-Air Airport, runway 33, 1,800 × 0 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 13,600 total, 2,400 in this make and model, 260 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Temperature: 113 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## Other investigations on N8793S (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 LAX02LA257](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA257), Aug 22, 2002: Air Tractor AT-301 (N8793S), Dos Palos, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the failure of the propeller blade due to fatigue. Factors in the accident were the inadequate maintenance-repair of the blade, and, inadequate pilot preflight inspections.

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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