# Accident 20140729015639A: Air Tractor Inc AT-502B, Minden, NE, July 29, 2014

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 29, 2014, 08:15 local time
- Place: Minden, NE
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Other, Specify
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: 4AUG
- Location: 40.7481° N, 99.1375° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7481&lon=-99.1375&mi=10
- Aircraft: N502NR, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N502NR) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Air Tractor AT-502B (registry code 0390307, https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-502b) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34AG (registry code 52251, https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-34ag) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT-502B
- Reported engine: P&W CANADA PT6A-34AG
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 14,000 total, 1,660 in this make and model, 154 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN14CA429](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA429) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140729015639A

## Narrative

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

AIRMAN STATED HE PASSED OVER THE FARM FIELD TO BE SPRAYED IN ORDER TO EVALUATE THE AREA FOR OBSTRUCTIONS.  THE FARM FIELD WAS LOCATED 8 MILES NORTH OF MINDEN, NE. THE AIRMAN THEN BEGAN TO SPRAY.

AFTER THE THIRD PASS AND WHILE TURNING TO CONDUCT A FOURTH PASS, THE AIRMAN FAILED TO OBSERVE A WINDMILL IN THE AREA.  THE AIRMAN STRUCK THE WINDMILL WITH THE NOSE AND LEFT SIDE OF THE AIRCRAFT.

THE AIRMAN MANAGED TO LAND THE AIRCRAFT IN A PASTURE APPROXIMATELY 3/4 MILE FROM THE WINDMILL.  A SMALL FIRE UNDER THE ENGINE ENSUED AND THE AIRMAN USED HIS FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE.

NOTE: NTSB ACCIDENT NUMBER WAS RECEIVED ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2014, AND PREVENTED TIMELY SUBMISSION OF THIS REPORT.

## 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 CEN14CA429](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA429), Jul 29, 2014: Air Tractor AT 502B (N502NR), Minden, NE, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate survey of the aerial application field which resulted in a collision with a windmill.

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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