# NTSB CEN25LA274: Air Tractor AT502, N502KB, Hastings, NE, July 22, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 22, 2025, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Hastings, NE - Coordinates: 40.568014, -98.354481 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5680&lon=-98.3545&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 October 2, 2025 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 200605 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN25LA274 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200605/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200605 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA274 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines while maneuvering at low altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=0390307), [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 · 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) - [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-502B, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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-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 performed an aerial application flight to a field using north and south spray passes. After completion of the field application, he maneuvered for a clean-up pass and thought he was at a higher altitude when the airplane collided with a power line to the west of the field. The pilot lost control of the airplane and it impacted terrain resulting in substantial damage to the left wing and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N502KB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N502KB), registered now, S/N 502B-2748, built 2011 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR AT502 (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-2748 - Year built: 2011 - Airframe hours: 4380.2 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34AG 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Meyers Aerial Service LLC - Registered owner: Meyers Aerial Service LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, October 22, 2024 - Departed: KHSI, Hastings, NE - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; injuries: none; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 5, 2025; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,098.6 total, 410.9 in this make and model, 1,031.3 as pilot in command, 176.7 in the last 90 days, 143.9 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 8 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: KHSI, 4 nm away - METAR: KHSI 221653Z AUTO 18008G17KT 10SM CLR 27/19 A2993 RMK AO2 SLP119 T02670189 ## 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 20250722008699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250722008699A), Jul 22, 2025: Air Tractor Inc AT-502B, Hastings, NE, Substantial damage. While conducting agricultural operations, the aircraft struck a power transmision lines while on a clean up pass. One power line damaged the prop, windshield,… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 2, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200605. 3.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 2.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19177444&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=cen25la274%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 2 photos, 934 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19177247&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=cen25la274%20photos%202-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation - FAA (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 62 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19213403&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20Furlow-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.