# NTSB FTW97LA311: Air Tractor AT-402, N90PK, Patterson, LA, August 12, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1997, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Patterson, LA
- Coordinates: 29.690294, -91.299942 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6903&lon=-91.2999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20314
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA311
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20314/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA311

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - wire,transmission
  - maneuver to avoid obstructions - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - crop
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot of the agricultural airplane had been flying under a power line with no difficulty on his previous spray runs in the sugar cane field.  On this run, as he approached the field, the pilot realized the power line wire 'sagged lower than in the other places.'  He considered climbing over the wire, but was not sure he would clear it, so he elected to continue under the wire.  After passing under the wire, the airplane's main wheels contacted the sugar cane, and the airplane decelerated and impacted the ground.

## Factual narrative

On August 12, 1997, at 1000 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-402 agricultural airplane, N90PK, registered to and operated by Aerial Crop Care, Inc., of Port Barre, Louisiana, collided with terrain during an aerial application flight near Patterson, Louisiana.  The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 137 local flight that originated from Harry P. Williams Memorial Airport in Patterson at 0945.

During a telephone interview, the pilot reported to the investigator-in-charge that he had been flying under a power line with no difficulty on his previous spray runs in the sugar cane field.  On this run, as he approached the field, the pilot realized the power line wire "sagged lower than in the other places."  He considered climbing over the wire, but was not sure he would clear it, so he elected to continue under the wire.  After passing under the wire, the airplane's main wheels contacted the sugar cane, and the airplane decelerated and impacted the ground.

According to the operator, the left main landing gear separated, and the empennage and left wing sustained structural damage.  The fuselage aft of the cockpit was twisted;  however, the cockpit remained "completely intact."

## Aircraft

- Registration: N90PK (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-402
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 402-0744
- Airframe hours: 4790
- Engines: P&W PT6A-15AG 680 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Aerial Crop Care, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 22, 1997, 106 hours before
- Departed: PTN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 5,175 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 5,135 as pilot in command, 350 in the last 90 days, 95 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19970812022479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970812022479A), Aug 12, 1997: Airtrc AT402, Patterson, LA, Substantial damage. Aircraft struck top of sugar cane while performing aerial application, nosed over into the field, bounced. (-23) while spraying pilot got too low, allowing…

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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