# NTSB CHI02LA259: Air Tractor AT-402A, N9032K, Cherokee, IA, August 25, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 25, 2002, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Cherokee, IA - Coordinates: 42.731388, -95.556114 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7314&lon=-95.5561&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report May 13, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 55592 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI02LA259 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55592/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA259 ## Probable cause The pilot failed to maintain clearance with the power lines resulting in the rudder separation and the subsequent loss of aircraft control. A factor associated with the accident was the power line that was contacted. ## 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) - Loss of control - in flight, approach - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command (cause) - flight control,rudder surface - separation (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane contacted power lines during an aerial application flight. The pilot reported he was making a swath run along a set of power lines that ran north and south through the middle of a field when the airplane contacted another set of power lines that ran east and west along the north edge of the field. The top 10 inches of the vertical stabilizer and the rudder separated from the airplane. The pilot reported that when the rudder separated, the rudder pedals were "pulled tight against the hopper" which resulted in him having no rudder control. In addition, he stated that he only had "some" aileron control. The pilot reported that about one-half mile from the airport, he pulled the power back to 1,000 pounds of torque and the airplane began to bank to the right. He reported that he was unable to control the bank with the ailerons. According to the pilot, the airplane then banked to the left, the nose pitched up, and the airplane "rolled over on its back." He reported the nose then dropped and the airplane descended into the ground. ## Factual narrative On August 25, 2002, at 1000 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-402A, N9032K, operated by Bakke Flying Service, contacted power lines during an aerial application flight in Cherokee, Iowa. The airplane then contacted the terrain while attempting to land at the Cherokee Municipal Airport (CKP), Cherokee, Iowa. The commercial rated pilot was seriously injured. The airplane received substantial damage. The Title 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated from CKP at 0830. The pilot reported he was making a swath run along a set of power lines that ran north and south through the middle of a field when the airplane contacted another set of power lines that ran east and west along the north edge of the field. The top 10 inches of the vertical stabilizer and the rudder separated from the airplane. The pilot reported that when the rudder separated, the rudder pedals were "pulled tight against the hopper." He stated that he could no longer reach the rudder pedals with his feet and he was not able to free them up. He reported that he had no rudder control and "some" aileron control. The pilot reported the airplane was heading toward the airport, so he continued in that direction at tree top height. He reported he contacted the Unicom at the airport, informed them of what happened and requested that they call the fire department and an ambulance. The pilot reported that about one-half mile from the airport, he pulled the power back to 1,000 pounds of torque and the airplane began to bank to the right. He reported that he was unable to control the bank with the ailerons. According to the pilot, the airplane then banked to the left, the nose pitched up, and the airplane "rolled over on its back." He reported the nose then dropped and the airplane descended to impact with the ground. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9032K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9032K-2003-06-11), registration cancelled 2003-06-11, S/N 402A-1105, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-402A - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-402A](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-402a) (registry code 0390206) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 402B-1105 - Airframe hours: 758 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6-15 680 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Vance J. Bakke - Registered owner: Jerome V. Bakke - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 10, 2002, 119 hours before - Departed: CKP, Cherokee, IA - Destination: CKP, Cherokee, IA - Airport: CKP, Cherokee Municipal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review February 8, 2002; seat: center; flight hours: 5,500 total, 870 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: SLB, 17 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 20020825027769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020825027769A), Aug 25, 2002: Airtrc AT402A, Cherokee, IA, Destroyed. (-23) During agricultural aircraft operations with [privacy data omitted], certificate number [privacy data omitted], acting as pilot-in-command, flying an air… 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.