# NTSB LAX92LA227: Air Tractor AT 400, N7307V, Lemoore, CA, June 2, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 2, 1992, 00:30 local (07:30 UTC)
- Place: Lemoore, CA
- Coordinates: 36.289745, -119.819633 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2897&lon=-119.8196&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27633
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA227
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27633/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA227

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBSERVE THE PRESENCE OF AN OBSTACLE IN THE FIELD. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE DARK NIGHTTIME LIGHT CONDITION, AND THE SMALL SIZE AND COLOR OF THE OBSTACLE WHICH DECREASED THE CONSPICUITY OF THE OBJECT.

## 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 - dark night (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - pole
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE 18,350-HOUR COMMERCIAL PILOT WAS PERFORMING A NIGHTTIME AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT AND HAD MADE SEVERAL PASSES OVER THE FIELD.  DURING THE LAST PASS THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT WING COLLIDED WITH A RUST COLORED VENT PIPE, AND THE AIRPLANE CRASHED INTO THE FIELD.  OTHER WHITE COLORED VENT PIPES WERE LOCATED IN THE FIELD AND WERE NOT DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7307V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7307V-1994-11-18), registration cancelled 1994-11-18, S/N 4000612 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT 400
- Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-400](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-400) (registry code 0390202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 400-0612
- Airframe hours: 3386
- Engines: P&W PT6A-34AG 680 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Blair Air Service
- Registered owner: Blair Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 13, 1992, 46 hours before
- Destination: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 18,350 total, 1,400 in this make and model, 18,200 as pilot in command, 190 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 337° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 23 °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 19920602017959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920602017959A), Jun 2, 1992: Airtrc AT400, Lemoore, CA, Substantial damage. Left wing struck a rusty vent pipe during a night spray run. Other vent pipes were painted white.

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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