# NTSB LAX82FUJ42: Air Tractor 301, N8538S, Yuma, AZ, July 16, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 16, 1982, 05:40 local (12:40 UTC)
- Place: Yuma, AZ
- Location: 32.7253° N, 114.6244° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Yuma, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7253&lon=-114.6244&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 16, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73116
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FUJ42
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73116/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FUJ42

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD COMPLETED HIS LAST LOAD OF THE DAY AND WAS EN ROUTE BACK TO THE AIRPORT. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE, THEN THE NOSE DROPPED AND THE PLANE ENTERED A SPIN. IT STRUCK THE GROUND BEFORE RECOVERING FROM THE SPIN. AN EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT FAILURE OF THE AIRFRAME OR ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8538S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8538S-2013-07-29), registration cancelled 2013-07-29, S/N 301-0138, built 1978 (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: 301-0238
- Airframe hours: 2700
- Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 137
- Operator: Valley Sprayer & Duster
- Registered owner: Valley Sprayer & Duster
- Departed: YUMA, AZ
- Destination: YUMA, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 250 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 194 °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 19820716029549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820716029549A), Jul 16, 1982: Airtrc AT301, Yuma, AZ, Destroyed. Aircraft returning to base nosed up, stalled and spun in. Possible pilot incapacitation. Had been spraying all night

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.