# NTSB FTW94LA098: Air Tractor AT-502, N9189Y, Moro, AR, March 16, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 16, 1994, 06:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place: Moro, AR
- Coordinates: 34.789314, -90.980445 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7893&lon=-90.9804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19012
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA098
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19012/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA098

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE OF POWER LINES.

## 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)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING SPRAYING OPERATIONS THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A POWER LINE AND DESCENDED UNCONTROLLED TO GROUND IMPACT.  THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO RECALL WHAT HAPPENED DURING THE ACCIDENT SEQUENCE DUE TO HIS INJURIES.

## Factual narrative

On March 16, 1994, at 0630 central standard time, an Air Tractor AT-502, N9189Y, was destroyed while maneuvering near Moro, Arkansas.  The commercial pilot/owner/operator sustained serious injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight.

According to a witness interview conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, while spraying a wheat field the aircraft contacted a power line and impacted the ground in a nearby field.  The pilot has no memory of the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9189Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9189Y-2003-05-23), registration cancelled 2003-05-23, S/N 502-0225, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR AT-502
- Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-502](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-502) (registry code 0390303) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52032, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 502-0225
- Airframe hours: 219
- Engines: P&W PT6-34AG 750 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Frost Flying Service
- Registered owner: Frost, Jackie R
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: NONE, MARIANNA, AR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 10,189 total, 3,046 in this make and model, 10,189 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SGT, 40 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 19940316005579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940316005579A), Mar 16, 1994: Airtrc AT502, Moro, AR, Destroyed. Struck powerline and crashed during a spray run.

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.

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