# NTSB CEN14CA427: Air Tractor AT 401B, N9071Z, Cimarron, KS, August 13, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 13, 2014, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Cimarron, KS - Coordinates: 37.939998, -100.309997 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9400&lon=-100.3100&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report September 2, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards - NTSB case key (mKey): 89873 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA427 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89873/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89873 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA427 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the antenna guy wire during an aerial application pass. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-401B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=0390207), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/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-401B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=0390207), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tower/antenna (incl guy wires)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-401B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022017/cases.md?model=0390207), [All aircraft, 55 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022017/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: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-401B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0390207), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-401B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0390207), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was setting up to spray a corn field bordered by radio antennas. He had sprayed the field previously and planned to use the same pattern this time. However, on his initial pass, he focused on the inner guy wire anchor point, which caused him to inadvertently fly between the inner and outer guy wires. When he started to pull-up, the airplane struck the outer wire, separating 7 feet of the left wing from the airplane. The pilot was able to maintain control and ultimately returned to the departure airport. However, the airplane rolled to the left when he reduced power on landing and he lost control at that time. The pilot stated that there were no problems with the airplane prior to the accident; the engine and flight controls were performing normally before the impact with the guy wire. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was setting up to spray a corn field bordered by radio antennas. He had sprayed the field previously and planned to use the same pattern this time. However, on his initial pass, he focused on the inner guy wire anchor point, which caused him to inadvertently fly between the inner and outer guy wires. When he started to pull-up, the airplane struck the outer wire, separating 7 feet of the left wing from the airplane. The pilot was able to maintain control and ultimately returned to the departure airport. However, the airplane rolled to the left when he reduced power on landing and he lost control at that time. The pilot stated that there were no problems with the airplane prior to the accident; the engine and flight controls were performing normally before the impact with the guy wire. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9071Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9071Z), registered now, S/N 401B-1131, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT 401B - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-401B](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-401b) (registry code 0390207) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 401B-1131 - Year built: 2001 - Airframe hours: 3373 - Engines: Walter M601-E11 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Erhart Aerial Spraying - Registered owner: Erhart Aerial Spraying - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 7, 2014, 264 hours before - Departed: DDC, Dodge City, KS - Destination: DDC, Dodge City, KS - Airport: DDC, Dodge City Regional, runway 14, 6,899 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 17, 2014; seat: single; flight hours: 15,300 total, 3,500 in this make and model, 15,216 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 120 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: DDC, 1 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 20140813019219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140813019219A), Aug 13, 2014: Air Tractor Inc AT-401B, Cimmaron, KS, Substantial damage. Aerial applicator was flying for the purpose of programming entry and exit points into the aircrafts onboard GPS. The airman planned to apply chemical to the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 21, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89873. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415376&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415377&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-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.