AIR TRACTOR INC AT-502B
Newton, GA — October 20, 2012
Event Information
| Date | October 20, 2012 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | ERA13CA033 |
| Event ID | 20121021X45449 |
| Location | Newton, GA |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 31.32722, -84.54444 |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | AIR TRACTOR INC |
| Model | AT-502B |
| 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 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering, which resulted in a hard forced landing.
Full Narrative
The pilot stated that he was performing an agricultural application over a cotton field bordered by a set of power lines. After making a pass over the field, the pilot ascended to fly over the power lines. While turning back towards the field, he “misjudged” the location of a static cable. The airplane’s main landing gear contacted the cable, and the airplane entered a rapid decent. The pilot initiated a forced landing in the cotton field, resulting in a hard landing and substantial damage to the wings and empennage. The pilot report no mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal flight.
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.