# NTSB CHI08CA220: Air Tractor AT-401, N9193F, Lake View, IA, July 26, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 26, 2008, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Lake View, IA
- Coordinates: 42.596668, -95.239997
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5967&lon=-95.2400&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: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 28, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: DesMoines, IA, FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68732
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA220
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68732/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA220

## Probable cause

The pilot not obtaining/maintaining altitude/clearance from the power line while performing an aerial application maneuver.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-401, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=0390204), [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-401, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=0390204), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/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-401, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=0390204), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-401, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0390204), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during an aerial application maneuver he "contacted the top wire on a set of power lines."  The airplane came to rest inverted in the field he was spraying.  He reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane during the accident flight.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during an aerial application maneuver he "contacted the top wire on a set of power lines."  The airplane came to rest inverted in the field he was spraying.  He reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane during the accident flight.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9193F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9193F-2012-11-20), registration cancelled 2012-11-20, S/N 401-0933, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-401
- Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-401](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-401) (registry code 0390204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 401-0933
- Airframe hours: 2805
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN-1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Michael J. Bartholomew
- Registered owner: Barts Flying Service Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2008
- Departed: SKI, SAC CITY, IA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; last flight review July 1, 2008; seat: single; flight hours: 3,100 total, 110 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 0 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.13 inHg
- Observed at: SLB

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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