# NTSB CEN14LA211: Air Tractor AT 502B, N51990, Garfield, KS, April 22, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 22, 2014, 13:10 local (18:10 UTC) - Place: Garfield, KS - Coordinates: 38.076389, -99.245002 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0764&lon=-99.2450&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: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report February 11, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 89099 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14LA211 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89099/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89099 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA211 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and subsequent failure to remain clear of power lines while maneuvering low to the ground. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: flight planning/navigation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 179 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=0390307), [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: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 46 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); 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) ## Analysis The pilot was preparing to spray a hay field when the airplane collided with the top set of power lines that were about 60 feet tall and impacted the ground. The operator said that this was the pilot's first time spraying this field and that the pilot was not familiar with the field or the surrounding obstacles. The operator reported that a stand of trees was opposite the power lines and that it was difficult to see the top wires as you approached the field because "they would get lost in the trees." Postaccident examination of the airplane and engine revealed no pre-impact mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On April 22, 2014, about 1310 central daylight time, N51990, an Air Tractor 502B, was destroyed when it collided with power lines then terrain while spraying a hay field in Garfield. Kansas. The airline transport rated pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was registered to Farmer's Spraying Service Incorporated, Pratt, Kansas, and operated by Gross Flying Service, Pratt, Kansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the aerial spraying flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. A witness stated that he had hired the operator to spray his hay field for weevils. He heard the airplane circle over his field twice then looked out the window where he saw the airplane start its first pass from south to north. The witness then saw a puff of smoke when the airplane struck a set of power lines (about 60 feet tall) that ran east and west along the southern edge of the field. The airplane descended behind a tree line and the witness no longer heard or saw the airplane. He then drove toward where he last saw the airplane and discovered that it had crashed on a dirt road east of the field and called 911. There was no post-impact fire. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector responded to the accident site and said the airplane struck the two very top wires to a set of power lines, which were 3/8-inch-wide steel, static cables. The wires sat about 5 feet below the top of the poles, about 55-feet-above the ground. The airplane crossed over a set of trees before it collided with terrain about 275 feet north of the power lines on a dirt road then traveled about another 145 feet to where it came to rest. There was no evidence the airplane struck the trees; however part of the airplane did impact a large haystack adjacent to the road. The landing gear came to rest about 130 feet forward of where the airplane came to rest. Examination of the airplane revealed wire strike marks on the propeller blades and main landing gear. The pilot remained strapped into the 5-point restraint system and was wearing a helmet with a glare shield. According to the operator, he stated that he normally handles all of his own spraying jobs, but during busy times he hired the pilot to help him. He said that he and the pilot had four loads to spray on the day of the accident and the accident occurred on the fourth load. He and the pilot discussed breaking for lunch after the third load, but they were excited about "making money" and decided to finish the job. Plus, the wind was picking up out of the south-southeast about 17-18 miles per hour (mph) and they wanted the last field sprayed before it got too windy. The operator added that the previous flights were normal and both airplanes were operating fine. The pilot was in a good mood, not tired, and happy to be flying. The operator put about 300 gallons of chemicals in the pilot's airplane and then refueled it with fuel from his own fuel-storage tank. The operator didthe same with his airplane then they both departed for their respective fields. The operator didn't learn that the pilot had crashed until after he landed. The operator said that he has sprayed the field where the pilot had crashed numerous times. However, the pilot was not familiar with the field or the surrounding obstacles. The operator described the power lines that the pilot struck as "H Poles." At the very top of the poles were two high-tension ground wires that were "very taught." Below these lines were the power lines that carried electricity. The operator said these lines had a lot of slack in them and sagged "quite a bit". They were also a lot darker than the ground wires and much easier to see. The operator said there was a stand of trees on the opposite side of the street where the power lines were located and it was really difficult to see the top ground wires as you approached the field because "they would get lost in the trees." The operator also thought that the pilot was most likely setting up his "A and B" lines along the haystack via the onboard GPS when he struck the power lines. The next pass would have been the first spray pass. The airplane and engine (including the propeller) were examined on June 10, 2014, under the supervision of the National Transportation Safety Board Investigator-in-Charge (NTSB IIC). Examination of the airplane revealed that it had sustained extensive impact damage to the fuselage, wings, and tail section. Flight control continuity was established for all major flight controls to the cockpit. An after-market airbag system was installed on both the left and right shoulder harnesses. Both airbags were out of their respective housing and deflated, indicative that the airbags had deployed upon impact with the ground. No mechanical deficiencies were noted with the airplane or the restraint/airbag systems. The turbine engine sustained extensive impact damage and was separated in three major sections. Internal examination of the engine revealed deep rotational scoring consistent with it operating at the time of impact. No mechanical anomalies were noted that would have precluded the engine from operating at the time of impact. The 3-bladed propeller had separated from the engine during impact and all three blades remained in the hub and were loose. One of the blade's tip was missing and never recovered. The fractured end of the blade was curled aft and exhibited 45 degree shearing. The second blade was relatively straight and exhibited rotational scoring on the front of the blade near the tip. The third blade was relatively straight and also exhibited front face rotational scoring near the tip. This damage was consistent with the propeller turning at the time of impact. No mechanical anomalies were noted that would have precluded normal operation of the propeller at the time of impact. A visit to the accident site revealed that the two top, high-tension cables struck by the airplane had been re-installedby the utility company. It was evident that these top cables were more difficult to see than the lower set of cables, which were much darker in color. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N51990](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51990-2016-04-25), registration cancelled 2016-04-25, S/N 502B-0557, built 1999 (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 PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 502B-0557 - Year built: 1999 - Airframe hours: 4235.8 - Engines: PW&C PT^A-34AG 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2014, 11.7 hours before - Departed: Pratt, KS - Destination: Garfield, KS - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: fatal; flight engineer, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: center; restraint: 5-point; toxicology performed; flight hours: 30,750 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 18 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg ## 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 20140422010659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140422010659A), Apr 22, 2014: Air Tractor Inc AT-502B, Garfield, KS, Destroyed, 1 fatal. On April 22, 2014 at approximately 13:15 local time (1815 UTC) an airline transport pilot was involved in a fatal aircraft accident while conducting aerial… ## Docket (14 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 6, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89099. 11.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 717 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420608&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation-Garcia (item 2, .PDF, 24 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420609&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-Garcia-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - FAA Inspector Landes (item 3, .PDF, 70 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420610&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA%20Inspector%20Landes-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Steven Gross (item 4, .PDF, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420611&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Steven%20Gross-Master.PDF - Kansas Highway Patrol Accident Report (item 5, .PDF, 925 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420612&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Kansas%20Highway%20Patrol%20Accident%20Report-Redacted.PDF - NTSB Party to the Investigation Forms (3) (item 6, .PDF, 458 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420613&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Party%20to%20the%20Investigation%20Forms%20(3)-Redacted.PDF - Retention / Release of Wreckage Form (item 7, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420614&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Retention%20%2F%20Release%20of%20Wreckage%20Form-Redacted.PDF - Toxicological Report - Donald Cates (item 8, .PDF, 113 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420615&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report%20-%20Donald%20Cates-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Powerlines after being repaired ( Photo courtesy of Air Tractor) (item 9, .PDF, 509 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420619&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Powerlines%20after%20being%20repaired%20(%20Photo%20courtesy%20of%20Air%20Tractor)%0D%0A-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Airplane Wreckage (Photo courtesy of Air Tractor) (item 10, .PDF, 87 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420620&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Airplane%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20courtesy%20of%20Air%20Tractor)-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - Airplane Wreckage With Powerlines In Background (Photo courtesy of Air Tractor) (item 11, .PDF, 122 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420621&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Airplane%20Wreckage%20With%20Powerlines%20%20In%20Background%20(Photo%20courtesy%20of%20Air%20Tractor)-Master.PDF - Photo 4- Engine (NTSB) (item 12, .PDF, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420622&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204-%20Engine%20(NTSB)-Master.PDF - Photo 5 - Fractured turbo shaft (NTSB) (item 13, .PDF, 2.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420623&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205%20-%20Fractured%20turbo%20shaft%20(NTSB)-Master.PDF - Photo 6 - Propeller Assembly (NTSB) (item 14, .PDF, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420624&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%206%20-%20Propeller%20Assembly%20(NTSB)-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.