# NTSB FTW02LA256: Air Tractor AT-301, N23736, Altus, OK, September 14, 2002

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 14, 2002, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Altus, OK
- Coordinates: 34.5125, -99.429443
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5125&lon=-99.4294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 30, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration (FSDO)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 55692
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW02LA256
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55692/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA256

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with electrical wires while maneuvering during an aerial application flight.

## 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

## Analysis

The agricultural pilot was spraying malathion to a field and was attempting to fly the airplane between electrical wires when the vertical stabilizer contacted the electrical wires.  A section of the vertical stabilizer and rudder separated from the airplane.  During the ensuing forced landing to a wheat field the airplane cartwheeled and came to rest inverted.

## Factual narrative

On September 14, 2002, at 1300 central daylight time an Air Tractor AT-301 agricultural airplane, N23736, was substantially damaged when it collided with a power line while maneuvering near Altus, Oklahoma.  The airplane was registered to and operated by Jackson County Spraying Service, Inc., of Altus, Oklahoma.  The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained minor injuries.  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 at 0700 from the Olustee Municipal Airport, Altus, Oklahoma.

According to the pilot, he was spraying malathion to a field and was attempting to fly between electrical wires when the vertical stabilizer contacted electrical wires.  A section of the vertical stabilizer and rudder separated from the airplane.  During the ensuing forced landing to a wheat field the airplane cartwheeled and came to rest inverted.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N23736](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23736-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N 301-0427, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-301
- Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-301) (registry code 0390103) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 301-0427
- Airframe hours: 6200
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney 1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Jackson County Spraying Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 2, 2002, 400 hours before
- Departed: F09, Olustee, OK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 14,000 total, 11,000 in this make and model, 13,900 as pilot in command, 225 in the last 90 days, 125 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observed at: HBR, 25 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 20020914023939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020914023939A), Sep 14, 2002: Airtrc AT301, Altus, OK, Substantial damage. (.19) On September 14, 2002, at 1300 central daylight time an air tractor AT-301 agricultural airplane, N23736, was substantially damaged when it collided with…

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.