# Accident 20040702014559A: Airtrc AT402A, Hillsboro, AL, July 2, 2004

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 2, 2004, 19:50 local time
- Place: Hillsboro, AL
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Low Level Operations
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: RYLG
- Location: 34.6333° N, 87.2000° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6333&lon=-87.2000&mi=10
- Aircraft: N9089L, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9089L-2006-07-06) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Air Tractor AT-402A (registry code 0390206, https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-402a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Pratt & Whitney PT6A series (registry code 52034, https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIRTRC AT402A
- Reported engine: PWA PT6A15AG
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 3,150 total, 100 in this make and model, 102 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ATL04CA146](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04CA146) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040702014559A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) ON FRIDAY JULY 2, 2004, AT APPROXIMATELY 7:50 PM, AN AIR TRACTOR N9089L, FLOWN BY MICHAEL E. JONES JR., WAS ENROUTE BACK TO THE HOME AIRSTRIP IN THE LOAL AREA. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS HEADING IN A NORTHWEST DIRECTION ON THE NORTHERN SIDE OF ALT. HWY 72/20 AROUND THE HILLSBORO AREA SPOTTING FIELDS FOR THE NEXT TRIP TO BE DONE IN THE FOLLOWING DAYS. FLYING ABOVE THE TREES, HE LOOKED DOWN FOR A VERY SHORT TIME TO SPOT A PARTICULAR FIELD, AND WHEN HE SPOTTED THE FIELD HE LOOKED UP AND SAW THE GROUND CABLES FOR HIGH POWER LINES AND STRUCTURES IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT OF HIM. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE DID NOT SEE THE CABLES BEFORE LOOKING DOWN. THE AIRPLANE HIT THE GROUND CABLE WITH THE RIGHT WING, TEARING OFF THE WING TIP AND SENDING HIM IN A SPIN. THE AIRPLANE THEN WENT STRAIGHT DOWN TO THE GROUND, AND THE PILOT STATES THAT HE THOUGHT MAYBE THE WING TOUCHED THE GROUND FIRST, CAUSING THE NOSE TO TOUCH NEXT WITH THE PROPELLER STRIKING THE GROUND AND DIGGING IN, FORCING THE AIRPLANE TO FLIP OVER ON ITS TOP AND THEN SLIDING APPROXIMATELY 75 FEET BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE PILOT THEN EXITED THE AIRCRAFT WITH MINOR INJURIES. THE AIRPLANE WAS DESTROYED.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ATL04CA146](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04CA146), Jul 3, 2004: Air Tractor AT-402A (N9089L), Hillsboro, AL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain adequate obstacle clearance, which resulted in collision with transmission wires.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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