On September 13, 1989, an Air Tractor AT-301 (registration N8578S) was involved in an aviation accident near Mendota, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL BY THE PILOT WHEN HE SLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO BEGIN A SPRAY RUN. CONTRIBUTING TO THE LOSS OF CONTROL WAS THE INOPERATIVE STALL WARNING SYSTEM. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft settled downward while slowing for a spray run. The pilot added full throttle and jettisoned the hopper contents before impacting the ground. Investigators found the stall warning disconnected and the engine running on automotive fuel. No mechanical malfunctions were identified.
Accident Sequence
According to reports, the aircraft was decelerating to begin a spray run when it experienced a downward settling. The pilot responded by applying full engine power and releasing the hopper's contents. Despite these actions, the aircraft struck the ground.
Investigation Findings
Examination of the stall warning system revealed that it was not connected. The engine had been operated using automotive fuel. No mechanical malfunctions were discovered in the aircraft or engine prior to the accident sequence. The investigation did not find any pre-existing mechanical issues.
The exact circumstances leading to the descent were not detailed beyond the reported settlement. The stall warning system's disconnection and the use of automotive fuel were noted as findings.
An X-AIR HAWK ultralight crashed in Chonburi, Thailand, killing the pilot and injuring a passenger. The accident was caused by deteriorated wing fabric and…
A Challenger II Special ultralight aircraft (U-B23) landed off-runway at Pai Airport, Mae Hong Son, on September 17, 2024, due to a gust of wind. No injuries…
The Polish aviation safety authority is investigating a serious incident involving an AT-3R100 aircraft that occurred on September 2, 2024. The investigation…
A SZD-48-3 glider suffered damage when its left wing struck a ground obstacle during a low final approach at EPWK on June 20, 2025. The pilot was uninjured.
A 39-year-old skydiver died after a hard landing near Leszno on May 1, 2026. The PKBWL preliminary report indicates the fatal impact resulted from a late,…
A student pilot crashed an SZD-50-3 Puchacz glider into the airfield fence during a solo training flight on June 6, 2026. The pilot was uninjured, but the…