Air Tractor AT502
Waco, NE — August 4, 2019
Event Information
| Date | August 4, 2019 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA19CA480 |
| Event ID | 20190804X90303 |
| Location | Waco, NE |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 40.93778, -97.50222 |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | Air Tractor |
| Model | AT502 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 137 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Probable Cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from wires during an agricultural application flight.
Full Narrative
The pilot reported that, during an agricultural application flight, he circled the intended spray field looking for obstacles, and noted a "big tower" and saw guy wires. He then approached the field from the south, and began looking for the previously seen wires, but "must have gotten fixated on the lower wires," and the airplane struck wires he had not seen. The airplane pitched up to the right, the wires broke, and the airplane surged forward. He subsequently maneuvered and landed the airplane on a nearby bean field.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and engine mounts.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.