# NTSB MIA77FKJ69: Piper PA-18, N4731A, Vincent, AL, August 15, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: August 15, 1977
- Place: Vincent, AL · VINCENT, AL
- Location: 33.3831° N, 86.4025° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Vincent, AL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3831&lon=-86.4025&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 26, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 145931
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA77FKJ69
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA77FKJ69

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3018  77/8/15    VINCENT,AL          PIPER PA-18         CR-  1  0  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 28, 1272
        TIME - 1400                    N4731A              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        TOTAL HOURS, 195 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          VINCENT,AL                  LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     IN FLIGHT: STARTING SWATH RUN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED CLEARANCE
           MISCELLANEOUS - EVASIVE MANEUVER TO AVOID COLLISION
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - BEANS                                     TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-TOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -FASTENED-PROPERLY                    GLOVES - USED
          GOGGLES - USED                                           CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - INSTALLED                             CRASH BAR - INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - BELLY                             TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  400                 SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
          PROCEDURE TURNAROUND - THIRD 1/3 TURN
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4731A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4731A-1977-12-01), registration cancelled 1977-12-01, S/N 18-4956, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19770815033459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770815033459A), Aug 15, 1977: Piper PA18A150, Vincent, AL, Destroyed

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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