# NTSB FTW97LA019: Air Tractor AT-502, N4549Z, Throckmorton, TX, October 18, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 18, 1996, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Throckmorton, TX
- Coordinates: 33.179691, -99.170677 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1797&lon=-99.1707&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20095
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20095/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA019

## Probable cause

failure of the pilot to maintain clearance of a transmission wire during pullup from a swath run.  The proximity of the transmission wire was a related factor.  The installation of wire cutter equipment on the landing gear might have prevented or reduced the level of damage or injury.

## 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 (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - misc eqpt/furnishings - not installed
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he made an aerial application swath run in a north to south direction. During pull-up from the swath run, the airplane's main landing gear (which were not equipped with wire cutters) caught on an east to west oriented unmarked electrical transmission wire. The pilot further stated that 'the east end of the wire became entangled in the airplane's rudder horn, forcing the airplane into an uncontrolled left turn.'  The engine power and the momentum of the airplane were sufficient to 'snap three telephone poles.'  Subsequently, the airplane impacted the ground and came to rest inverted. A postimpact fire destroyed the airplane.

## Factual narrative

On October 18, 1996, approximately 1830 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502, N4549Z, was destroyed after a wire strike while maneuvering near Throckmorton, Texas.  The commercial pilot, sole occupant in the airplane, was seriously injured.  The airplane was registered to and operated by New Nueces Ag Service Inc., under Title 14 CFR Part 137.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight which originated from Olney, Texas, approximately 59 minutes before the accident.  A flight plan was not filed for the local flight.

The pilot reported to the investigator-in-charge that he was flying an application swath in a north to south direction.  On the pull-up, the airplane's main landing gear (which were not equipped with wire cutters) caught on an east to west oriented unmarked electrical transmission wire.  The pilot further stated that "the east end of the wire became entangled in the airplane's rudder horn, forcing the airplane into an uncontrolled left turn."  The engine power and the momentum of the airplane were sufficient to "snap three telephone poles."  Subsequently the airplane impacted the ground, and came to rest inverted.  A post impact fire destroyed the aircraft.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4549Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4549Z-1997-03-17), registration cancelled 1997-03-17, S/N 5020129 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 502-0129
- Engines: P&W PTGA-15AG 680 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: New Nueces Ag Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: ONY, OLNEY, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 18,219 total, 4,246 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

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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