# NTSB LAX85LA374: Air Tractor AT301, N3168U, Williams Afb, AZ, August 27, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 27, 1985, 04:45 local (11:45 UTC)
- Place: Williams Afb, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.319351, -111.870635 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3194&lon=-111.8706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24821
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA374
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24821/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA374

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night

## Analysis

AFTER MAKING HIS FIRST SWATH RUN,DURING THE HOURS OF DARKNESS,THE PILOT BECAME DISORENTED AND FLEW INTO AN AREA WITH TALL ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION LINES. HE DESCENDED INTO TREES BENEATH THE LINES IN HIS ATTEMPT TO MISS THEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3168U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3168U-2013-02-21), registration cancelled 2013-02-21, S/N 301-0565, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR AT301
- 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: 301-0565
- Airframe hours: 550
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Santan Dusters
- Registered owner: Air Tractor, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 10, 1985
- Departed: P10, CHANDLER, AZ
- Airport: CHD, Williams Afb

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 7,000 total, 250 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 180 in the last 30 days, 11 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 150° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PHX, 17 nm away

## 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 19850827057349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850827057349A), Aug 27, 1985: Airtrc AT301, Williams Afb, AZ, Substantial damage. Made wider than usual turn to reverse course while spraying. Saw electrical power lines. Flew under but hit trees.

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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