N61267

Substantial
None

AIR TRACTOR AT-502BS/N: 502B-0303

Accident Details

Date
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
NTSB Number
NYC08CA279
Location
Tunica, MS
Event ID
20081003X17834
Coordinates
34.685001, -90.347778
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power lines during low-altitude maneuvers.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N61267
Make
AIR TRACTOR
Serial Number
502B-0303
Engine Type
Turbo-shaft
Year Built
1995
Model / ICAO
AT-502BAT5T
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
SALE REPORTED
Address
NONE
Status
Deregistered
City
XXX
State / Zip Code
OK 73125
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot of the agricultural airplane flew along a set of power lines, which ran over a wooded area that restricted his ability to see both sides of a field that he was going to spray. After flying along the power lines, he determined that he had enough clearance to "fit under the wire." He thought that it looked "good," and began his spray run on the east side of a field passing under the power lines without incident. He then began a spray run on the west side of the field, but as he approached the power lines he realized that the "wire was too low to go under." Rather than risk hooking his main landing gear on the wires and flipping the airplane onto its back, he chose to "fly into the wire." The airplane received substantial damage to the propeller, engine, empennage, wings and landing gear.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# NYC08CA279