# NTSB ATL04CA146: Air Tractor AT-402A, N9089L, Hillsboro, AL, July 3, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 2, 2004, 20:05 local (Jul 3, 2004, 01:05 UTC) - Place: Hillsboro, AL - Coordinates: 34.633335, -87.199996 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6333&lon=-87.2000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Birmingham FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59794 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL04CA146 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59794/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04CA146 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain adequate obstacle clearance, which resulted in collision with transmission wires. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - object - wire,transmission - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - crop ## Analysis According to the pilot, the airplane collided with the top wire of a transmission tower that "was not visible to [him]." He stated that the airplane spun around 180 degrees to the left, the airplane "was out of control," collided with the ground, and came to rest inverted in a nearby field. Examination of the wreckage site revealed the wreckage debris path extended across the field a distance of 75 feet leading up to the main wreckage site. The tower arm of the transmission tower, that was estimated to be 100 feet high, was bent, and the upper transmission wire was separated. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the engine assembly separated from the engine mounts. The propeller hub was separated from the crankshaft. The engine cowling and fuselage were crushed aft to the pilot compartment. The right wingtip was separated. The leading edge of the right wing was crushed beginning about midspan outboard to the end of the wing. The left wing was partially separated at the root and completely separated approximately midspan. The left horizontal stabilizer leading edge was crushed aft. ## Factual narrative On July 2, 2004, at 2005 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-402-A agricultural airplane, N9089L, registered to and operated by a private individual, collided with a transmission wire while surveying a field in Hillsboro, Alabama. The local flight was conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The pilot received minor injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated at Lawrence County Airport, Courtland, Alabama, on July 2, 2004 at 1930. According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to survey a field he was to spray the following morning. The pilot stated that upon over-flying the field, the airplane collided with the top wire of a transmission tower that "was not visible to [him]." He stated that the airplane spun around 180 degrees to the left, the airplane "was out of control," collided with the ground, and came to rest inverted in a nearby field. Examination of the wreckage site revealed the wreckage debris path extended across the field a distance of 75 feet leading up to the main wreckage site. The tower arm of the transmission tower, that was estimated to be 100 feet high, was bent, and the upper transmission wire was separated. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the engine assembly separated from the engine mounts, and the propeller hub was separated from the crankshaft. The engine cowling and fuselage were crushed aft to the pilot compartment. The right wingtip was separated, and the leading edge of the right wing was crushed beginning about midspan outboard to the end of the wing. The left wing was partially separated at the root and completely separated approximately midspan. The left horizontal stabilizer leading edge was crushed aft. The pilot did not report a mechanical problem with the airplane during the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9089L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9089L-2006-07-06), registration cancelled 2006-07-06, S/N 402A-1118, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-402A - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-402A](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-402a) (registry code 0390206) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 402A-1118 - Airframe hours: 2029 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A 680 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Buster Thornton - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 7, 2004, 98 hours before - Departed: 9A4, Courtland, AL - Airport: 9A4, Lawrence County Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review February 10, 2004; seat: single; flight hours: 3,200 total, 100 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 180° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,600 ft overcast - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: kdcu, 12 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20040702014559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040702014559A), Jul 2, 2004: Airtrc AT402A, Hillsboro, AL, Destroyed. (-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… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.