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NTSB Report
August 27, 1985 · Air Tractor AT301 · N3168U
Williams Afb, AZ
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 27, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Williams Afb, AZ
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT301
Tail Number
N3168U
Operator
Santan Dusters
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX85LA374
AFTER MAKING HIS FIRST SWATH RUN,DURING THE HOURS OF DARKNESS,THE PILOT BECAME DISORENTED AND FLEW INTO AN AREA WITH TALL ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION LINES. HE DESCENDED INTO TREES BENEATH THE LINES IN HIS ATTEMPT TO MISS THEM.
Full Narrative
AFTER MAKING HIS FIRST SWATH RUN,DURING THE HOURS OF DARKNESS,THE PILOT BECAME DISORENTED AND FLEW INTO AN AREA WITH TALL ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION LINES. HE DESCENDED INTO TREES BENEATH THE LINES IN HIS ATTEMPT TO MISS THEM.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time04:45 MST
Nearest AirportWilliams Afb (10nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftAir Tractor AT301
Tail NumberN3168U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSantan Dusters
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-1340-AN1 · Reciprocating · 600
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 40 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind150° @ 4 kt
Visibility35 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time10:45
Weather SourceWFAC