# NTSB CEN14CA429: Air Tractor AT 502B, N502NR, Minden, NE, July 29, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 29, 2014, 07:40 local (12:40 UTC) - Place: Minden, NE - Coordinates: 40.748054, -99.137496 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7481&lon=-99.1375&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 1, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 89878 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA429 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89878/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89878 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA429 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate survey of the aerial application field which resulted in a collision with a windmill. ## 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-502B, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/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); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis During a pass of the aerial application flight, the airplane collided with a windmill at the edge of the field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. In addition, the pilot stated he did not observe the windmill during his survey of the field prior to beginning the application to field. ## Factual narrative During a pass of the aerial application flight, the airplane collided with a windmill at the edge of the field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. In addition, the pilot stated he did not observe the windmill during his survey of the field prior to beginning the application to field. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N502NR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N502NR), registered now, S/N 502B-2817, built 2012 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT 502B (B) - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-502B](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-502b) (registry code 0390307) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34AG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-34ag) (registry code 52251, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 502B-2817 - Year built: 2012 - Airframe hours: 488.8 - Engines: Pratt and Whitney PT6A-34A6 720 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2014 - Departed: 0V3, MINDEN, NE - Destination: Minden, NE - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 18, 2014; seat: center; flight hours: 14,000 total, 1,660 in this make and model, 14,000 as pilot in command, 154 in the last 90 days, 82 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.23 inHg - Observed at: KEAR, 6 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 20140729015639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140729015639A), Jul 29, 2014: Air Tractor Inc AT-502B, Minden, NE, Destroyed. Airman stated he passed over the farm field to be sprayed in order to evaluate the area for obstructions. The farm field was located 8 miles north of Minden,… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 18, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89878. 497 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 497 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426593&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.