# NTSB LAX82DA265: Air Tractor AT-301, N4326S, San Joaquin, CA, July 18, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 18, 1982, 00:40 local (07:40 UTC)
- Place: San Joaquin, CA
- Coordinates: 36.58945, -120.189384 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5894&lon=-120.1894&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 18, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72497
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA265
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72497/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA265

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - miscellaneous - undetermined (contributing factor)
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE STARTED RUNNING ROUGH ON A FERRY FLIGHT AND THE PILOT DECIDED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING IN A COTTON FIELD. DURING THE LANDING THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4326S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4326S), registered now, S/N 301-0006 (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)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 300-0006
- Engines: P & W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Grouleff Aviation
- Registered owner: Grouleff Aviation
- Departed: SAN JOAQUIN, CA
- Destination: SAN JOAQUIN, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 176 °F

## 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 19820718030149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820718030149A), Jul 18, 1982: Airtrc AT300, San Joaquin, CA, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing after engine failed for unknown reasons.

## Other investigations on N4326S (3)

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 CEN22LA354](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA354), Aug 1, 2022: Air Tractor AT-301 (N4326S), Lamoni, IA, destroyed. Probable cause: A loss of airplane performance for reasons that could not be determined.
- [NTSB SEA98LA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA079), May 19, 1998: Air Tractor AT-301 (N4326S), Idaho Falls, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate inflight decision to land with a tailwind and his failure to maintain aircraft control. Also contributing was the pilot's improper setting of the fuel mixture which resulted in…
- [NTSB SEA95LA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA154), Jul 17, 1995: Air Tractor AT-301 (N4326S), Roberts, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO THE SEPARATION OF THE NUMBER 3 CYLINDER EXHAUST VALVE ROCKER ARM SHAFT FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD, WHICH DISABLED MOVEMENT OF THE EXHAUST VALVE. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF…

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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