Air Tractor AT-301 accident near Lubbock, Texas, August 25, 1992
On August 25, 1992 at about 4:30 pm local time, a Air Tractor AT-301, registered N4334S, was substantially damaged in an accident near Lubbock, Texas (Harris airport). It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF A DOWNWIND RUNWAY FOR TAKEOFF. A FACTOR WAS THE TAILWIND.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 25, 1992 · about 4:30 pm local time
- Place
- Lubbock, Texas · Harris · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Air Tractor AT-301
- Registration
- N4334S · no longer on the register · serial 301-0014
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT HAD BEEN OPERATING OUT OF A 2,100 FOOT DIRT STRIP FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE DAYS WITH THE PREVAILING WINDS OUT OF THE SOUTH. THE WIND SHIFTED DIRECTION AS THE PILOT WAS PREPARING TO DEPART AND A DOWNWIND TAKEOFF WAS ATTEMPTED. THE AIRCRAFT FAILED TO GAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO CLEAR OBSTACLES AT THE DEPARTURE END, AND IMPACT WAS MADE WITH A FENCE AND HIGH VEGETATION.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 2,640 hours in all; 120 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 15, 1991
- Maximum gross weight: 3,500 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W R-1340 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NONE at 4:29 pm
- Destination: NONE
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 2,100 ft by 25 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 2,800 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:50 pm from LBB, 12 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.