- Date
- March 20, 1995, 18:55 local (Mar 21, 1995, 00:55 UTC)
- Place
- Meade, KS
- Injuries
- 1 fatal
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N5237SAir Tractor AT-301
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report October 27, 1995
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19950320004559A
- Case key
- 9855
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
the pilot's not obtaining/maintaining clearance with the utility pole. A factor was the utility pole.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
While maneuvering during aerial application, the airplane impacted a utility pole with the right wing and descended into the terrain. Subsequent examination failed to reveal any pre- impact anomalies with the airplane or any physical condition of the pilot which would have contributed to the accident.
Factual narrative
On March 20, 1995, at 1855 central standard time, an Air Tractor AT-301, N5237S, registered to Bringham Flying Service, Inc., of Meade, Kansas, and operated by a commercial rated pilot, impacted a pole, and the terrain, while maneuvering during the aerial application of a herbicide, ten miles north of Meade, Kansas. The airplane was destroyed. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The local CFR Part 137 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight originated from Meade, Kansas, time unknown.
An eyewitness stated that he had observed the accident airplane conducting the aerial application to the south of his position. His attention was directed to some work he was doing when he heard a noise and realized that the airplane had impacted an electrical power pole. He stated that he then watched as the airplane impacted the terrain.
Portions of the right wing, right wing tip, and right aileron were found co-located with the top of the utility pole across the road from the pole and in the direction of travel of the accident airplane.
A wreckage diagram was prepared by an FAA inspector and is attached to this report.
An examination of the accident site revealed sequential horizontal indentations in the terrain at the initial terrain impact point consistent with the proportion and location of the propeller blades. Inspection of the engine failed to reveal any pre-impact anomalies.
Post mortem examination of the pilot found no pre existent pathology. The autopsy was conducted at the Southwest Medical Center, Liberal, Kansas, on March 21, 1995.
Toxicological examination of post-accident specimens from the pilot detected 38.600 (ug/ml, ug/g) salicylate in the urine. Salicylate is a by-product of aspirin
Aircraft
- Registration
- N5237S
- Reported as
- Air Tractor AT-301
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 301-0131
- Engine
- P&W R-1340, 600 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Aerial application · Part 137
- Registered owner
- Bringham Flying Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · March 14, 1994
- Departed
- MEJ
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 44
- Certificates
- Flight instructor, Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 2, Unknown
- Seat
- Center
- Toxicology
- Performed
- Flight hours
- 10,000 total
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 180° at 9 knots
- Visibility
- 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 55 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
- Observed at
- CGK, 43 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.