# NTSB CHI01LA183: Air Tractor AT-402, N91966, Catron, MO, June 22, 2001

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 21, 2001, 19:00 local (Jun 22, 2001, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Catron, MO
- Coordinates: 36.549999, -89.666664
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5500&lon=-89.6667&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 52548
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI01LA183
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52548/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA183

## Probable cause

the failure of the pilot to maintain clearance from the electrical wires.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The aircraft struck electrical wires while operating on an aerial application flight.

## Factual narrative

On June 21, 2001, at 1900 central daylight time, an Air Tractor, AT-402, N91966, piloted by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged during an in-flight collision with electrical wires and terrain near Catron, Missouri.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  The aerial application flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137 and was not operating on a flight plan.  The pilot sustained minor injuries.  The flight originated from the pilot's private airstrip, located approximately 2 miles from the accident site.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N91966](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N91966-2002-02-05), registration cancelled 2002-02-05, S/N 402-0941, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-402
- Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-402](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-402) (registry code 0390205) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 402-0941
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-15AG 680 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Patrick Malone
- Registered owner: Boothheel Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: PVT, Catron, MO
- Destination: Catron, MO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: center

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observed at: HKA, 55 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 20010621019609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010621019609A), Jun 21, 2001: Airtrc AT402, Catron, MO, No damage. (-23) The pilot was on his second spray flight of the day. His first was conducted in the morning and this flight was scheduled to follow, but due to weather,…

## Other investigations on N91966 (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI94LA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA147), May 5, 1994: Air Tractor AT-402 (N91966), Sikeston, MO, substantial damage. Probable cause: a fatigue failure of a compressor blade which resulted in a catostrophic engine failure.

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.

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