# NTSB FTW03LA158: Air Tractor AT-502B, N9086M, Edna, TX, May 19, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 19, 2003, 13:12 local (18:12 UTC) - Place: Edna, TX - Coordinates: 29.092222, -96.621665 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.0922&lon=-96.6217&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Flight Standards District Office (SW09) - NTSB case key (mKey): 57029 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW03LA158 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57029/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA158 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the transmission wires while maneuvering during an aerial application flight. A contributing factor was the haze restricting the visibility. ## 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 - object - wire,transmission - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - open field ## Analysis The pilot had been applying urea on an 85-acre rice field when the aircraft collided with the lower set of high voltage transmission wires. The power lines were 50 feet above ground level. The aircraft was traveling at 100 knots on a heading of 360 degrees, and the transmission wires followed an east to west heading. The pilot had flown under the power lines on previous occasions, but the pilot did not see the power lines on this flight. Haze prevailed throughout the area from forest fires, in Central America. ## Factual narrative On May 19, 2003, at 1312 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502B agricultural airplane, N9086M, was destroyed upon collision with high voltage transmission wires while maneuvering near Edna, Texas. The instrument rated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The aerial application flight was operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. The airplane was registered to and operated by Kubecka Flying Services, Inc., of Edna, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed. The local flight departed Kubecka Flying Service Airport (6TE5) approximately 1310. The pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that he was applying urea on an 85-acre rice field located 3/4 mile east of 6TE5. The pilot stated that the aircraft was traveling on a heading of 360 degrees, and the power lines followed an east to west heading. The aircraft was traveling approximately 100 miles per hour when it struck the power lines. The pilot had flown under the lines on previous occasions, but stated that he did not see the lower two power lines on this date, as his visibility was restricted by the dense haze from forest fires in Central America. The lower set of power lines that were struck were about 50 feet above ground level. The 5,197-hour pilot added that, the height he entered the field, position of the sun, and the prevailing haze and smoke, made the cables blend into the background thus preventing him from seeing the wires. Examination of the wreckage by the operator revealed that the engine was externally damaged and separated from the fuselage. The propeller was separated from the engine and all blades were cracked and twisted. Both wings, and all stabilizer and control surfaces were damaged and twisted, and the rear fuselage from the cockpit behind was twisted 90 degrees to the left. At 1251, Victoria Regional Airport (VCT) Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS), located 6 miles east of the accident site; reported the winds from 160 degrees at 6 knots, 6 statute miles visibility, haze, clear sky, temperature 33 degrees Celsius, dewpoint 23 degrees Celsius, altimeter setting 29.86 inches of Mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9086M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9086M-2003-08-19), registration cancelled 2003-08-19, S/N 502B-0596, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-502B - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-502B](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-502b) (registry code 0390307) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 502B-0596 - Airframe hours: 1415 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34AG 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Daniel P Kubecka - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 28, 2002, 332 hours before - Departed: 6TE5, Edna, TX - Destination: 6TE5, Edna, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 21, 2002; seat: center; flight hours: 5,197 total, 2,770 in this make and model, 5,021 as pilot in command, 220 in the last 90 days, 102 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 6 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: VCT, 6 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 20030519014389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030519014389A), May 19, 2003: Airtrc AT502B, Edna, TX, Destroyed. (-23) Pilot began flight from cihal airstrip at approximately 12:25 CST. The flight was conducted for the purpose of aerial application. As the pilot was… 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.