# NTSB CEN21LA148: Air Tractor AT-402B, N41068, Moorhead, MS, March 5, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 5, 2021, 09:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Moorhead, MS - Coordinates: 33.451706, -90.492962 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4517&lon=-90.4930&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: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 102717 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21LA148 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102717/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102717 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA148 ## Probable cause The pilot did not maintain clearance from a powerline during an aerial application flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: pole](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md?model=0390208), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=0390208), [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) (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) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during an agricultural application flight, he started his spray pass from the north and traveled south and added that the sun was bright. During the pass, he avoided numerous obstacles, before he passed over a patch of woods. There was an east-west running powerline located about 100 yards out in the field that the pilot did not see until it was too late to avoid it. The airplane impacted the top of the wires and a pole and a part of a pole embedded itself into the left wing. The pilot was able to land the airplane without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N41068](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N41068), registered now, S/N 402B-1174 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT-402B - 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-1174 - Airframe hours: 5230 - Engines: P & W PT6 turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Inverness Air, INC - Registered owner: Inverness Air, INC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2020 - Departed: Inverness, MS - Airport: NA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 6, 2020; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 14,639 total, 4,260 in this make and model, 15,589 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 60 °F ## 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 20210305003149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210305003149A), Mar 5, 2021: Air Tractor Inc AT-402B, Moorhead, MS, Substantial damage. While performing aerial applications near Moorhead ms, the pilot failed to see power lines and struck a utility pole with the left wing breaking off the top… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 19, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102717. 7.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 4.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12121175&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 4.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12121185&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%201-Rel.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.