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NTSB Report

June 30, 1997 · Air Tractor AT-301 · N4396S

Edna, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 30, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Edna, TX
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT-301
Tail Number
N4396S
Operator
White Flying Service
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW97LA242

According to the pilot, he finished spraying a 110 acre milo field with 'no problems.' The pilot reported that he was 'on the last pass which was along some highlines when the airplane's left wing struck a guy wire cutting off the outer 4 feet of the left wing.' He said that the airplane rolled left and struck the ground, coming to rest on the gear 'right side up.'

NTSB Probable Cause

failure of the pilot to maintain clearance from a guy wire, during a swath run.

Full Narrative

On June 30, 1997, at 0930 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301 agricultural airplane, N4396S, was substantially damaged when it struck a guy wire and subsequently impacted the ground while maneuvering near Edna, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant in the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by the White Flying Service of La Ward, Texas, under Title 14 CFR Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight which had originated approximately 35 minutes before the accident. No flight plan had been filed for the flight. According to the pilot, he was finishing spraying a 110 acre milo field with "no problems." The pilot reported that he was "on the last pass which was along some high lines when the airplane's left wing struck a guy wire cutting off the outer 4 feet of the left wing." He said that the airplane rolled left and struck the ground coming to rest on the gear "right side up."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAir Tractor AT-301
Tail NumberN4396S
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWhite Flying Service
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-1340AN-1 · Reciprocating · 600
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 24 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 11 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time15:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data