Summary
On November 28, 2018, a Air Tractor AT 502 (N843WA) was involved in an incident near Americus, GA. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's failure to see and avoid a power line during an agricultural application flight.
The pilot reported that, during an agricultural application flight, he surveyed a field before spraying and observed multiple power line wires and poles. While spraying the field, after a turn, about 20 ft above ground, he pulled up and immediately felt "a massive jerk" and saw a "flash" (airplane nose struck a power line wire). The pilot entered a descending turn to an open field adjacent to the spray field. He pushed the power lever forward but did not get a response.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA19CA078. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N843WA.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to see and avoid a power line during an agricultural application flight.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot reported that, during an agricultural application flight, he surveyed a field before spraying and observed multiple power line wires and poles. While spraying the field, after a turn, about 20 ft above ground, he pulled up and immediately felt "a massive jerk" and saw a "flash" (airplane nose struck a power line wire). The pilot entered a descending turn to an open field adjacent to the spray field. He pushed the power lever forward but did not get a response. During the forced landing, the right wing struck a tree, the airplane rotated 180°, and the left wing and empennage impacted the ground.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA19CA078