# NTSB OAK74DVA08: Boeing 75, N68401, Mendota, CA, July 25, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: July 25, 1973
- Place: Mendota, CA · MENDOTA, CA
- Location: 36.7576° N, 120.3805° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Mendota, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7576&lon=-120.3805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1974
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 201620
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK74DVA08
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK74DVA08-201620

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3539  73/7/25    MENDOTA,CALIF       BOEING 75           CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 36, 4960
        TIME - 0030                    N68401              PX-  0  0  0  ASSOC CROP CTL ACTIVITY   TOTAL HOURS, 10 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - AG STRIP
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          MENDOTA,CALIF               LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           GROUND-WATER LOOP-SWERVE                                 TAKEOFF: RUN
           NOSE OVER/DOWN                                           TAKEOFF: RUN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL
        FACTOR(S)
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: OTHER
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL -  200                       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - COTTON                                    TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-TOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                 GLOVES - USED
          CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED                            COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED
          CRASH BAR - NOT INSTALLED                                TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - FORWARD OF PILOT
          TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT                                 ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  200
          SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - WIND CALM
        REMARKS- UNLIGHTED NARROW AG STRIP.NOSED OVER IN FLOODED RICE FLD.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N68401](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N68401-2013-10-25), registration cancelled 2013-10-25, S/N 75-6855 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 75
- Registry model: [Boeing A75N1(PT17)](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-a75n1-pt17) (registry code 1380134) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Ag Strip

## 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 19730725021469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730725021469A), Jul 25, 1973: Boeing N2S3, Mendota, CA, Substantial damage. Unlighted narrow ag strip. Nosed over in flooded rice fld.

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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