# NTSB FTW04LA136: Air Tractor AT-602, N5013C, Brookland, AR, May 21, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 21, 2004, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Brookland, AR - Coordinates: 35.831665, -90.645835 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8317&lon=-90.6458&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 1, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 59288 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW04LA136 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59288/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA136 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the power lines while maneuvering. ## 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 - Forced landing, descent - emergency ## Analysis After applying chemical to a field, the 5,400-hour pilot attempted to maneuver the turbine powered airplane under power lines. During the maneuver, the airplane's vertical stabilizer impacted the power line. The pilot initiated a climb to 200 feet in an attempt to locate a safe landing area. Subsequently, the pilot managed to land the airplane in a rice field without further incident. ## Factual narrative On May 21, 2004, approximately 1030 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-602 single-engine agricultural airplane, N5013C, was substantially damaged when it impacted power lines while maneuvering during an aerial application flight near Brookland, Arkansas. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Quinn Aviation Inc., of Jonesboro, Arkansas. 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 departed the Quinn Aviation private airstrip approximately 0900. The 5,400-hour pilot reported that after applying chemicals to a field, he attempted to maneuver under power lines. During the maneuver, the airplane's vertical stabilizer impacted the power line. The vertical stabilizer sustained structural damage and the rudder was partially separated. The pilot initiated a climb to 200 feet in an attempt to locate a safe landing area. Subsequently, the pilot managed to land the turbine powered airplane in a rice field without further incident. The pilot confirmed that the vertical stabilizer, the rudder, and the right wing had incurred structural damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5013C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5013C-2009-02-13), registration cancelled 2009-02-13, S/N 602-0428, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-602 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-602](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-602) (registry code 0390309) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-66 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-66-series) (registry code 52118, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 602-0428 - Airframe hours: 3388 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-60AG 1173 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 137 - Registered owner: Quinn Aviation Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 22, 2004, 64 hours before - Departed: Jonesboro, AR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review January 1, 2003; seat: center; flight hours: 5,400 total, 5,000 in this make and model, 5,400 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 7 knots, gusting 9 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 68 °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 20040521009399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040521009399A), May 21, 2004: Airtrc AT602, Brookland, AR, Substantial damage. (-23) On may 21, 2004, at approximately 1030 CDT, an agricultural airplane, air tractor, AT-602, N5013C, sustained substantial damage when it impacted a power… ## Other investigations on N5013C (1) 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. - [NTSB ERA09LA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA128), Jan 2, 2009: Air Tractor AT-602 (N5013C), Philadelphia, MS, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's improper preflight weather planning and his continued VFR flight into IMC conditions resulting in an in-flight collision with trees. 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.