# NTSB LAX88DUM05: Air Tractor AT-301, N8719S, Niland, CA, July 22, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 21, 1988, 20:45 local (Jul 22, 1988, 03:45 UTC)
- Place: Niland, CA
- Coordinates: 33.300529, -115.549667 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3005&lon=-115.5497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 29, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25733
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88DUM05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25733/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88DUM05

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

JUST AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT MADE A RIGHT TURN TO LOCATE THE GROUND FLAGGERS AND TO AVOID TRANSMISSION WIRES. THE PILOT, UNABLE TO LOCATE THE FLAGGERS, INITIATED A CLIMB TO AVOID WIRES AND RISING TERRAIN. HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE DID NOT GAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE AND COLLIDED WITH THE WIRES AND, SUBSEQUENTLY, THE TERRAIN. THERE WERE NO REPORTED MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS OF THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8719S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8719S-2013-08-08), registration cancelled 2013-08-08, S/N 301-0178, built 1979 (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 R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 301-0178
- Airframe hours: 4665
- Engines: P&W R-340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Valair Company, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 28, 1988, 73 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 8,373 total, 3,967 in this make and model, 8,218 as pilot in command, 71 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 95 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19880721027799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880721027799A), Jul 21, 1988: Airtrc AT301, Niland, CA, Substantial damage. Struck powerlines while turning to look for flagman after takeoff from a unimproved uninspected railroad strip.

## Other investigations on N8719S (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 LAX02LA203](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA203), Jun 20, 2002: Air Tractor AT-301 (N8719S), Westmorland, CA, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the power lines while maneuvering during an aerial application flight. A factor was the dark night condition.

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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