Accident Air Tractor AT-301 N4337S, Wednesday 15 June 1983

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Date:	Wednesday 15 June 1983
Time:	12:15 LT
Type:	Air Tractor AT-301
Owner/operator:	Valley Sprayer & Duster Serv.
Registration:	N4337S
MSN:	301-0083
Total airframe hrs:	3570 hours
Engine model:	P&W R-1340 AN-1
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Yuma, AZ - United States of America
Phase:	Initial climb
Nature:	Agricultural
Departure airport:
Destination airport:
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE LANDED ON A FARM ROAD TO INSPECT THE ALTERNATOR & ASSOCIATED WIRING BEFORE STARTING AERIAL APPLICATION. FOLLOWING THE INSPECTION, DURING WHICH NOTHING WAS FOUND WRONG, HE COMMENCED TAKING OFF. AS THE ACFT WAS ACCELERATING FOR TAKEOFF, A SOFT AREA WAS ENCOUNTERED WHICH SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED THE GROUND ROLL. MOMENTS AFTER BECOMING AIRBORNE, THE LEFT WING TIP & SPRAY BOOM IMPACTED A CITRUS TREE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PLT LOST CONTROL & THE ACFT STALLED & IMPACTED THE GROUND.

Probable Cause:

Accident investigation: