# NTSB LAX92LA348: Air Tractor AT301, N4410S, Laveen, AZ, August 13, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1992, 21:30 local (Aug 13, 1992, 04:30 UTC)
- Place: Laveen, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.29927, -112.200462 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2993&lon=-112.2005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27730
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA348
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27730/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA348

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE DURING THE LOW-LEVEL AERIAL APPLICATION PROCEDURE TURN.  CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE NIGHT CONDITION AND THE HIGH TENSION WIRES.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - terrain condition - open field
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING A NIGHT AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT.  WHILE EXECUTING A LOW-LEVEL TURN, AFTER COMPLETING AN AERIAL APPLICATION SWATH RUN, HE OBSERVED SOME HIGH TENSION WIRES AND EXECUTED A TIGHT TURN. DURING THE TURN HE FAILED TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AND THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE GROUND.  THE AIRPLANE WAS DESTROYED BY THE IMPACT AND ENSUING POST IMPACT FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4410S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4410S-1998-02-19), registration cancelled 1998-02-19, S/N 3010070 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0070
- Airframe hours: 3175
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Noel, Cecil L., doing business as Aero Spray
- Registered owner: Noel, Cecil L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 7, 1992, 10 hours before
- Departed: P10, CHANDLER, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 10,000 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19920812033079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920812033079A), Aug 12, 1992: Airtrc AT301, Laveen, AZ, Destroyed. Dragged wing on ground during steep turn to avoid powerline. Crashed and burned.

## Other investigations on N4410S (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 LAX86FUJ05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FUJ05), Aug 12, 1986: Air Tractor AT301 (N4410S), Gilbert, AZ, substantial damage

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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