# NTSB FTW02LA245: Air Tractor AT-401, N9193Y, Hearne, TX, August 30, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 30, 2002, 13:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Hearne, TX - Coordinates: 30.815277, -96.600555 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.8153&lon=-96.6006&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 29, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Houston, Texas - NTSB case key (mKey): 55609 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW02LA245 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55609/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA245 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with a pump rig while maneuvering during an aerial application flight. A factor was the object. ## 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 - other (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was defoliating a cotton field, starting on the south side working to the north, making alternate east and west spray passes, and that an oil pumping rig was located approximately 8 to 10 passes into the field. The pilot also stated that on all passes leading up to the pumping rig, he observed it not pumping, remaining off on the down stroke. As the airplane was making a pass on the north edge of the pumping rig in a westerly direction, the left wing obstructed the pilot's view of the obstacle. Subsequently, the left wing impacted the horse head on its upstroke, severing the outboard 6 to 8 feet of the wing. The pilot pulled the throttle back to idle and allowed the airplane to descend into the cotton field where it came to rest inverted. Oil company personnel at the accident site reported that oil pumping rigs are prevalent in the area. It was also reported that this particular pumping unit was on a timer and would shut off periodically. ## Factual narrative On August 30, 2002, approximately 1315 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-401 agricultural airplane, N9193Y, was substantially damaged when it impacted an oil pumping rig while maneuvering near Hearne, Texas. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by Corpora Aerial Service, Inc., of Hearne, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight departed a private airstrip near Hearne at 1300. According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported that he was conducting an aerial application flight defoliating a cotton field, starting on the south side working to the north, making alternate spray passes in an east to west direction. The pilot also reported that an oil pumping rig was located approximately 8 to 10 passes into the field. On all passes leading up to the area where the pumping rig was located, the pilot said he observed the unit "not pumping, and remaining off on the down stroke." The pilot further stated that while making a westerly spray pass on the north side of the pumping rig, he began a slow climb to clear the obstable. The pilot reported that during the climb to clear the pumping rig his view was obstructed by the left wing, which subsequently impacted the rig's "horse head" on the up stroke, severing the outboard 6 to 8 feet of the wing. The pilot stated that the airplane began to roll violently to the left, and "determining that I could no longer maintain control of the airplane, I pulled the throttle back to idle and let the aircraft descend into the cotton field." The airplane impacted the ground in a left wing low, nose low attitude, separating the engine and severing the tail section. The airplane came to rest in an inverted position, and there was no post-impact fire. According to an FAA inspector who traveled to the accident site and interviewed oil company personnel, oil pumping rigs were very prevalent in the area, and the "horse head" (portion of the pump which rises and lowers) can rise approximately 10 feet when in the pumping mode. It was also reported that this particular pumping unit was on a timer and would shut off periodically. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9193Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9193Y-2003-01-02), registration cancelled 2003-01-02, S/N 401-0932, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-401 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-401](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-401) (registry code 0390204) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 401-0932 - Airframe hours: 2553 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Corpora Aerial Service Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2002, 35 hours before - Departed: Hearne, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review March 28, 2001; seat: center; flight hours: 6,750 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 6,750 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg ## 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 20020830022259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020830022259A), Aug 30, 2002: Airtrc AT401, Hearne, TX, Destroyed. (.19) On August 30, 2002, approximately 1330 central daylight time, an air tractor 401 agricultural airplane, N9193Y, was destroyed when it impacted an oil… 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.