# NTSB SEA78FYA21: Air Tractor AT-300, N4331S, Idaho Falls, ID, August 11, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: August 11, 1978
- Place: Idaho Falls, ID · IDAHO FALLS, ID
- Location: 43.4896° N, 112.0353° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Idaho Falls, ID, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4896&lon=-112.0353&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 25, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 140071
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA78FYA21
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA78FYA21

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2393  78/8/11  NR.IDAHO FALLS,ID     AIR TRACTOR AT-300  CR-  1  0  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1000                    N4331S              PX-  0  0  0  ASSOC CROP CTL ACTIVITY   AGE 32, 5025 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            300 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - NO NAME
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         IDAHO FALLS,ID               LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: MUSH                                              TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS
           WEATHER - HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - LOAD NOT JETTISONED
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      70
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          213                                                       16
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - 3000                       KIND OF OPERATION - FERTILIZING (LIQUID)
          KIND OF CROP - POTATOES                                  TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-NONTOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                 GLOVES - NOT USED
          GOGGLES - NOT USED                                       CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - INSTALLED                             CRASH BAR - INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - FORWARD OF PILOT
        REMARKS- DENSITY ALT 7000FT.SETTLED INTO TALL WHEAT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4331S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4331S-1982-08-11), registration cancelled 1982-08-11, S/N 300-0011, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR AT-300
- Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-301) (registry code 0390103) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: No Name

## 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 19780811024139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780811024139A), Aug 11, 1978: Airtrc AT300, Idaho Falls, ID, Substantial damage. Density alt 7000FT.settled into tall wheat.

## Other investigations on N4331S (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 SEA79DYA11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA79DYA11), May 7, 1979: Air Tractor AT-301 (N4331S), Rigby, ID, 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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