# NTSB ERA24LA220: Air Tractor AT-602, N4196K, New Washington, OH, May 18, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 18, 2024, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: New Washington, OH - Coordinates: 40.94156, -82.86344 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9416&lon=-82.8634&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: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 194280 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA220 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194280/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194280 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA220 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines during an aerial application flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/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-602, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/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-602, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the aerial application airplane surveyed the field at a higher altitude prior to spraying. He determined that spraying north and south, while flying below high-tension lines, would require the least amount of maneuvering in the heavy airplane. The pilot flew the first pass uneventfully; however, during the second pass, the airplane’s rudder contacted a powerline. The rudder separated and the airplane landed sideways in the field, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4196K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4196K-2025-12-21), registration cancelled 2025-12-21, S/N 602-1136, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT-602 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-602](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-602) (registry code 0390309) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-6 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-6-series) (registry code 52150, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 602-1136 - Year built: 2005 - Airframe hours: 8319 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-60AG 1050 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 1, 2024, 19 hours before - Departed: 17G, Bucyrus, OH - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: minor; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2024; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 9,800 total, 50 in this make and model, 9,215 as pilot in command, 105 in the last 90 days, 82 in the last 30 days, 11 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.91 inHg - Observed at: MFD, 15 nm away - METAR: KMFD 181852Z 35003KT 10SM FEW044 BKN075 BKN090 26/16 A2991 RMK AO2 SLP122 T02610156 ## 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 20240518004969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240518004969A), May 18, 2024: Air Tractor Inc AT-602, New Washington, OH, Substantial damage. The accident occurred during the first field of the third load of spraying for the day. I inspected the field from overhead and determined that working the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 28, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194280. 2.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17190599&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 3 photos, 403 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17190962&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20-Rel.pdf 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.