# Accident 20170702010799A: Air Tractor Inc AT-502B, Edna, TX, July 2, 2017

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 2, 2017, 10:30 local time
- Place: Edna, TX
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Descent
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: 9CRG
- Location: 28.9861° N, 96.7589° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.9861&lon=-96.7589&mi=10
- Aircraft: N6135P, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6135P-2020-05-06) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Air Tractor AT-502B (registry code 0390307, https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-502b) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Pratt & Whitney PT6A series (registry code 52034, https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT-502B
- Reported engine: P&W PT6A SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 6,500 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 250 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB GAA17CA385](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA385) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170702010799A

## Narrative

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

PILOT WAS SPRAYING A FIELD AND SETTING UP FOR HIS NEXT RUN WHILE LOOKING FOR A YOUNG BOY WHO WAS OUTSIDE ON A PREVIOUS TRIP. PILOT WANTED TO MAKE SURE AND NOT SPRAY CLOSE TO THE HOUSE IF THE BOY WAS OUTSIDE. PILOT LOST SITUATIONAL AWARENESS AND SIGHT OF AN ANTENNA THAT HE KNEW WAS THERE. ON HIS DESCENT THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE ANTENNA WITH THE PROPELLER, WING AND LANDING GEAR. THIS HAPPENED AT APPROXIMATELY 30 FEET AGL. PILOT FELT STRONG VIBRATIONS FROM THE ENGINE AND IMMEDIATELY DECIDED TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING STRAIGHT AHEAD IN A CORN FIELD. NO INJURIES.

## 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 GAA17CA385](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA385), Jul 2, 2017: Air Tractor AT 502 (N6135P), Edna, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to see and avoid a tower during an agricultural application flight.

## Other reports on N6135P (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 20181012019789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181012019789A), Oct 12, 2018: Air Tractor Inc AT-502B (N6135P), Placedo, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. During aerial application of herbicide pilot struck a radio tower, impalling the top 15 foot section into the aircraft with subsequent fire and uncontrolled…

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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