# NTSB DFW05CA079: Air Tractor AT-402, N1518Z, Dumas, AR, March 2, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 2, 2005, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Dumas, AR - Coordinates: 33.924999, -91.511108 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9250&lon=-91.5111&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 28, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 61080 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW05CA079 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61080/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05CA079 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power lines. ## 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 - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - wire,transmission - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water - terrain condition - crop - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot of the agricultural airplane collided with power lines while maneuvering during an aerial application flight. One of the power lines took out a large portion of the veritcal stabilizer and the rudder. Under minimal control, the 5,090-hour pilot managed to execute a forced landing to an adjacent open field. ## Factual narrative On March 2, 2005, approximately 1100 central standard time, an Air Tractor AT-402 single-engine tailwheel-equipped agricultural airplane, N15182, registered to a private individual and operated by Moss Flying Service, of Tillar, Arkansas, was substantially damaged when it struck a power line during an aerial application flight near Dumas, Arkansas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight originated from a private airstrip near Tillar, Arkansas, at time unknown. The 5,090-hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that while performing a "trim pass" during an aerial application flight on the eastern portion of a cultivated field, he observed a set of power lines in the flight path of the airplane. In order to avoid colliding with the power lines, the pilot elected to fly underneath the power lines. While maneuvering under the power lines, the tail of the airplane struck one of the power lines. The pilot added that after the collision with the power lines, he "lost directional control" of the airplane; however, he was able to execute a forced landing in an adjacent open field. Examination of the airplane by the pilot revealed that the top three-quarters of the vertical stabilizer and rudder were sheered-off and the left main landing gear was folded upward. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1518Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1518Z), registered now, S/N 402-0837, built 1991 (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: 402-837 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6-27 680 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: Dumas, AR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review January 28, 2005; seat: center; flight hours: 5,095 total, 290 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 5 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft overcast ## 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 20050302001939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050302001939A), Mar 2, 2005: Airtrc AT402, Dumas, AR, Substantial damage. (-23) On March 2, 2005, at approximately 1110 CDT, AT-402-402, N1518Z, an agricultural airplane, experienced substantial damage after impacting a power line… 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.