# Accident 20240518004969A: Air Tractor Inc AT-602, New Washington, OH, May 18, 2024

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 18, 2024, 14:33 local time
- Place: New Washington, OH
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Maneuver
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: FASG
- Location: 40.9416° N, 82.8634° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9416&lon=-82.8634&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4196K, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4196K-2025-12-21) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Air Tractor AT-602 (registry code 0390309, https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-6 series (registry code 52150, https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-6-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT-602
- Reported engine: P&W CANADA PT6A-6 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport, commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 9,800 total, 50 in this make and model, 85 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA24LA220](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA220) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240518004969A

## Narrative

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

THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED DURING THE FIRST FIELD OF THE THIRD LOAD OF SPRAYING FOR THE DAY. I INSPECTED THE FIELD FROM OVERHEAD AND DETERMINED THAT WORKING THE FIELD NORTH/SOUTH, PASSING BENEATH HIGH-TENSION LINES, WOULD REQUIRE THE LEAST AMOUNT OF MANEUVERING WITH THE MOST CONSISTENT PASSES IN THE HEAVY PLANE. I OPENED THE FIELD WITH THE FIRST PASS SOUTHBOUND, ON THE WEST EDGE OF THE FIELD. THIS ALLOWED ME TO PASS BENEATH LINES NEAR THE TOWER AND ASSESS THE WIRE HEIGHT FOR NEXT PASS IN THE SAG. THE SECOND PASS WAS ENTERED NORTHBOUND, ON THE EAST SIDE, AND I STRUCK THE WIRE APPROX. 8IN DOWN FROM THE TOP OF THE RUDDER. THE RUDDER WAS REMOVED AT IMPACT WITH THE WIRE. THE AIRCRAFT REMAINED BRIEFLY STABLE SO I ATTEMPTED TO LAND STRAIGHT AHEAD INTO A CORN STUBBLED FIELD. THE AIRCRAFT SLOWLY LISTED TO THE LEFT DURING THE APPROACH AND WAS UNCORRECTABLE WITHOUT RUDDER. I REDUCED THE POWER TO IDLE TO SLOW FOR TOUCHDOWN. THE AIRCRAFT CONTACTED THE GROUND MOVING SIDEWAYS TO THE RIGHT. THE RIGHT GEAR COLLAPSED FOLLOWED BY WHAT SEEMED TO BE TWO MORE GROUND STRIKES IN A ROLL OR FLIP. THE FUSELAGE CAME TO REST MOVING BACKWARDS AND UPRIGHT.

## 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 ERA24LA220](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA220), May 18, 2024: Air Tractor AT-602 (N4196K), New Washington, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines 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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