Air Tractor AT 602
Tiro, OH — July 27, 2020
Event Information
| Date | July 27, 2020 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | CEN20CA312 |
| Event ID | 20200727X31809 |
| Location | Tiro, OH |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 40.91472, -82.79000 |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | Air Tractor |
| Model | AT 602 |
| 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 while attempting to fly under power lines during an aerial application pass.
Full Narrative
The pilot was conducting an aerial application flight at the time of the accident. Before spraying, he circled the field and noted high tension power lines. He completed 3 spray runs without incident, passing under the power lines on 2 of those passes. However, on the 4th pass, the pilot "did not maintain a low enough altitude" and the vertical stabilizer struck the lines. The upper portion of the vertical stabilizer and the entire rudder separated from the airframe. He was able to maintain control with a "total loss of rudder control" and executed a forced landing to a harvested wheat field.
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.