# NTSB FTW00TA142: Air Tractor AT-802A, N60471, Fort Stockton, TX, May 7, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report - Date: May 7, 2000, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Fort Stockton, TX - Coordinates: 30.889095, -102.880432 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.8891&lon=-102.8804&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report April 19, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49213 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00TA142 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49213/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00TA142 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the antenna tower. A factor was the smoke weather condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - antenna - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor) ## Analysis A witness, located approximately 1/4-mile from the accident site, stated that the agricultural airplane was spraying fire retardant on an 8,000-acre fire. The witness observed the airplane bank 'hard to his right' after dropping the fire retardant. The witness reported that 'he [the airplane] was still in his turn or bank when he hit the guy wires of the radio tower.' The witness heard two loud bangs and observed the airplane impact the ground. Multiple strands of cable were found among the aircraft wreckage. The top 80 feet of the 300-foot antenna tower and the associated guide cables were destroyed. There were no mechanical discrepancies found with the airframe or the engine that would have prevented operation of the airplane prior to the accident. The FAA inspector stated that visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident; however, there was 'blowing smoke in the air that may have been a contributing factor.' ## Factual narrative On May 7, 2000, at 1300 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-802A agricultural airplane, N60471, struck a tower while maneuvering near Fort Stockton, Texas. The aircraft, owned and operated by Payne Flying Service of Katy, Texas, and under contract with the Department of Interior, was spraying fire retardant on brush fires in the west Texas ranch land areas for the Texas Forestry Service. The airline transport pilot received fatal injuries, and the airplane was destroyed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, public use flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The local flight departed the Fort Stockton-Pecos County Airport, at 1230. A witness, located approximately 1/4-mile from the accident site, stated that the agricultural airplane was spraying fire retardant on an 8,000-acre fire. The witness observed the airplane bank "hard to his right" after dropping the fire retardant. The witness reported that "he [the airplane] was still in his turn or bank when he hit the guy wires of the radio tower." The witness heard two loud bangs, and observed the airplane impact the ground. The FAA inspector and airplane manufacturer representative, who responded to the accident site, found multiple strands of cable among the aircraft wreckage. The top 80 feet of the 300-foot antenna tower and the associated guide cables were destroyed. The wing skin of the airplane was found stripped from the spars. The engine and propeller were found separated from the airframe. All propeller blades were found bent and twisted. The FAA inspector reported that there were no mechanical discrepancies found with the airframe or the engine that would have prevented operation of the airplane prior to the accident. The FAA inspector stated that visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident; however, there was "blowing smoke in the air that may have been a contributing factor." The 25,556-hour pilot had accumulated approximately 1,500 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane. An autopsy was conducted by the Bexar County Forensic Science Center. According to the medical examiner, who conducted the autopsy, the pilot died as a result of "multiple severe traumatic injuries." Toxicology tests for carbon monoxide, cyanide, ethanol, and drugs were negative. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N60471](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N60471-2000-11-01), registration cancelled 2000-11-01, S/N 802A-0024 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-802A - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-802A](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-802a) (registry code 0390308) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 802A-0024 - Airframe hours: 1661 - Engines: P&W PT6A-65AG 500 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Public aircraft, Part 91 - Registered owner: Carl R. Payne - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 28, 2000, 12 hours before - Departed: FST ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 25,556 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 35 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: FST, 37 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 20000507012389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000507012389A), May 7, 2000: Airtrc AT802A, Ft. Stockon, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. (-23) The ATP rated pilot was dispensing fire retardant chemicals mixed with water for the purpose of fire fighting at the time of accident. The pilot released… 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.