# NTSB LAX89DVD04: Travel Air 4000, N1592, Lodi, CA, July 25, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: July 25, 1989, 07:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Lodi, CA
- Coordinates: 38.109947, -121.159408 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1099&lon=-121.1594&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26162
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89DVD04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26162/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89DVD04

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO SEE AND AVOID POWER LINES, WHILE DISTRACTED BY A MOVING VEHICLE ON THE GROUND.

## 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
  - light condition - daylight
  - object - wire,transmission
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE OPERATOR OF THE SPRAY OPERATION, THE PILOT BECAME DISTRACTED, WHEN HE WAS WATCHING THE GROWER DRIVE OUT OF THE FIELD HE HAD SPRAYED. WHILE HE WAS WATCHING THE VEHICLE, HE INADVERTENTLY ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO COLLIDE WITH POWER LINES. THERE WAS NO REPORTED MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1592](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1592-2001-01-09), registration cancelled 2001-01-09, S/N 196 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Travel Air 4000
- Registry model: [Curtiss Wright TRAVEL AIR 4000](https://openairdocs.org/model/curtiss-wright-travel-air-4000) (registry code 2621802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 288
- Airframe hours: 6413
- Engines: CONTINENTAL W-670-6N 670 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Precissi Flying Svc, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 9, 1989, 414 hours before
- Departed: Q80, LODI, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 8,000 total, 1,300 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 52 °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 19890725025229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890725025229A), Jul 25, 1989: Curtis TRVAIR4000, Lodi, CA, Destroyed. Struck powerlines and crashed during aerial application.

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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