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NTSB Report
July 16, 1982 · Air Tractor 301 · N8538S
Yuma, AZ
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 16, 1982
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Yuma, AZ
Aircraft
Air Tractor 301
Tail Number
N8538S
Operator
Valley Sprayer & Duster
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX82FUJ42
THE PILOT HAD COMPLETED HIS LAST LOAD OF THE DAY AND WAS EN ROUTE BACK TO THE AIRPORT. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE, THEN THE NOSE DROPPED AND THE PLANE ENTERED A SPIN. IT STRUCK THE GROUND BEFORE RECOVERING FROM THE SPIN. AN EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT FAILURE OF THE AIRFRAME OR ENGINE.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT HAD COMPLETED HIS LAST LOAD OF THE DAY AND WAS EN ROUTE BACK TO THE AIRPORT. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE, THEN THE NOSE DROPPED AND THE PLANE ENTERED A SPIN. IT STRUCK THE GROUND BEFORE RECOVERING FROM THE SPIN. AN EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT FAILURE OF THE AIRFRAME OR ENGINE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time05:40 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftAir Tractor 301
Tail NumberN8538S
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorValley Sprayer & Duster
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-1340 · Reciprocating · 600
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 31 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsUnknown
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point19 C / 0 C
Altimeter0