# NTSB CEN14CA314: Air Tractor AT 402B, N428JJ, Newport, AR, June 21, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 21, 2014, 12:45 local (17:45 UTC) - Place: Newport, AR - Coordinates: 35.597499, -91.29 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5975&lon=-91.2900&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 14, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 89523 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA314 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89523/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89523 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA314 ## Probable cause The pilot misjudged his altitude which resulted in the airplane contacting a wire during the low altitude aerial application maneuver. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=0390208), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402B, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=0390208), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=0390208), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=0390208), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=0390208), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402B, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0390208), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The accident occurred during an aerial application flight. The pilot made the first spray pass over the field during which he flew under a wire at the end of the field. He stated he flew under the wire to avoid spraying chemical on a neighboring field. The pilot stated that he misjudged his altitude as he entered the field for the second pass, again flying under the wire, and the top of the vertical stabilizer contacted the wire. A piece of the vertical stabilizer separated from the airplane. The rudder was bent and partially detached from the vertical stabilizer. The airplane nosed down, impacted the terrain, and slid about 200 yards prior to coming to rest. The pilot stated there were no pre-impact mechanical issues with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The accident occurred during an aerial application flight. The pilot made the first spray pass over the field during which he flew under a wire at the end of the field. He stated he flew under the wire to avoid spraying chemical on a neighboring field. The pilot stated that he misjudged his altitude as he entered the field for the second pass, again flying under the wire, and the top of the vertical stabilizer contacted the wire. A piece of the vertical stabilizer separated from the airplane. The rudder was bent and partially detached from the vertical stabilizer. The airplane nosed down, impacted the terrain, and slid about 200 yards prior to coming to rest. The pilot stated there were no pre-impact mechanical issues with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N428JJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N428JJ), registered now, S/N 402B-1307, built 2014 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT 402B (B) - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-402B](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-402b) (registry code 0390208) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-15AG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-15ag) (registry code 52246, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 402B-1307 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6 680 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Charles Bell, Jr - Registered owner: Bell Flying Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: Newport, AR - Destination: Newport, AR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: center; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 9,000 total, 2,200 in this make and model, 9,000 as pilot in command, 350 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: M19 ## 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 20140621008429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140621008429A), Jun 21, 2014: Air Tractor Inc AT-402B, Newport, AR, Destroyed. On June 21, 2014 at 1245 CST, an Air tractor AT-402B, N428JJ, registered to bell flying, inc., Newport, Arkansas, during routine agricultural disbursement… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 23, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89523. 836 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 650 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40414291&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 131 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40414292&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation (item 3, .PDF, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40414293&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF 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.