# Accident 20150531006949A: Air Tractor Inc AT-502B, Archer City, TX, May 31, 2015

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 31, 2015, 08:15 local time
- Place: Archer City, TX
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Maneuver
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: C95G
- Location: 33.5197° N, 98.6561° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5197&lon=-98.6561&mi=10
- Aircraft: N120TF, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N120TF-2017-02-13) (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: 1
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 2,800 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB GAA15LA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15LA101) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150531006949A

## Narrative

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

THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE THE AIRCRAFT WAS SPRAYING A PASTURE WITH HERBICIDE TO ERADICATE MESQUITE BUSHES.  THE PASTURE IS APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES SOUTH OF ARCHER CITY, TEXAS, JUST EAST OF STATE HIGHWAY 79.  POWER LINES RUN EAST AND WEST ACROSS THE NORTHERN PART OF THE PASTURE.  THE AIRCRAFT WAS FLYING SOUTH BOUND AND THE MAIN LANDING GEAR CAUGHT ONE OF THE POWER LINES.

THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST APPROXIMATELY 1/2 MILE SOUTH OF THE POWER LINES.

IT APPEARS  THE AIRCRAFT WAS INTACT UNTIL IT STRUCK THE GROUND.  BOTH MAIN GEAR SHEARED OFF THE AIRCRAFT AND THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE.

THE ENGINE GEARBOX AND PROPELLER DAMAGE INDICATE THE ENGINE WAS MAKING POWER AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH.

## 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 GAA15LA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15LA101), May 31, 2015: Air Tractor AT 502B (N120TF), Archer City, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from power transmission lines during an aerial application flight.

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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