# NTSB FTW01LA169: Clark CGS Hawk, N6323Q, Bullard, TX, July 9, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 9, 2001, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Bullard, TX - Coordinates: 32.140747, -95.310104 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1407&lon=-95.3101&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report February 5, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 52798 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW01LA169 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52798/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA169 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with power lines during low level maneuvers. ## 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 - wire,transmission - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis During the performance of low level maneuvers, the experimental aircraft, which had been modified for aerial application, struck power lines. The airplane then impacted the ground. The commercial pilot had sprayed 114 acres on the morning of the accident. The FAA inspector and Texas Department of Agriculture personnel reported that the pilot was hired to dispense herbicide on 640 acres of pasture land. The pilot reported that he was practicing low level maneuvers. ## Factual narrative On July 9, 2001, at 0930 central daylight time, a Clark CGS HAWK, experimental amateur built airplane, N6323Q, sustained substantial damage when it struck power lines near Bullard, Texas. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The commercial pilot received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from the pilot's private airstrip at 0845. During a personal interview, conducted by the FAA inspector, and on written statements to the Texas Department of Agriculture and the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported the following information. On July 4, 2001, the pilot was hired to spray 560 acres of pasture land with herbicide for broad leaf plants. On July 8th, the pilot began the aerial application flights and dispensed herbicide on 140 acres. On the morning of July 9th, the applications resumed and approximately 114 acres were treated with the herbicide. While "practicing low level maneuvers," the airplane "came into contact with a secondary power line consisting of 2 wires." Subsequently, the airplane struck the ground on the main landing gear and fuselage. The pilot walked 1/2 mile to a farm house and was transported to the hospital. The FAA inspector reported that the aircraft was originally a two seat tandem ultralight. The aircraft had been modified for aerial application flights by replacing the aft seat with a 20 gallon hopper and adding a spray boom to the airframe. The fuselage, wing, main landing gear, and engine mounts were bent. The pilot/operator did not hold a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 Operating Certificate issued by the FAA. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6323Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6323Q-2008-09-05), registration cancelled 2008-09-05, S/N H-8-362-C, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Clark CGS HAWK - Registry model: [Clark Benny J SR B](https://openairdocs.org/model/clark-benny-j-sr-b) (registry code 05607PX) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: H-8-362-C - Airframe hours: 117 - Engines: Rotax 503 UL DCDI 52 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 91 - Registered owner: Benny J. Clark - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, June 14, 2001, 32 hours before - Departed: 6X0, Bullard, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 19, 1999; seat: front; flight hours: 1,156 total, 222 in this make and model, 1,006 as pilot in command, 73 in the last 90 days, 62 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 225° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 63 °F ## 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 20010709019089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010709019089A), Jul 9, 2001: Bullard, TX, No damage. (-23) Aerial application for hire with hormone type herbicide grayzon p+d for broad leaf plants. Struck power line with l main gear, broke pole, pancaked to… 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.