# NTSB FTW98LA304: Air Tractor AT-301, N2325G, Plainview, TX, July 8, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 8, 1998, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Plainview, TX - Coordinates: 34.189167, -101.720573 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1892&lon=-101.7206&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20674 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA304 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20674/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA304 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance during the aerial application flight. A factor was the transmission wire. ## 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 (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane's right wing contacted a wire during an aerial application flight near Mart, Texas. The pilot stated that he was making the final pass in a field he was spraying. He was flying the airplane adjacent to a 'center pivot sprinkler' and adjusted the flight path of the airplane to remain clear of the sprinkler. The airplane cleared the sprinkler and was departing the field at the western edge when the pilot noticed wires. The right wing tip of the airplane contacted the lower wire and continued flying. The pilot flew the airplane to the Horan Airport, Plainview, Texas, where it landed without further incident. ## Factual narrative On July 8, 1998, at 0900 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301 agricultural airplane, N2325G, was substantially damaged when it impacted a wire while maneuvering near Plainview, Texas. The airplane was owned and operated by Hardage Aerial Spraying Service of Hale Center, Texas. The airline transport rated pilot, sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. The flight originated from the Laney Farm Airport, near Hale Center, Texas, at 0800. The 3,700 hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB FORM 6120.1/2) that he was making a final pass through the center of a field he was spraying. He was flying the airplane adjacent to a "center pivot sprinkler" and adjusted the flight path of the airplane to remain clear of the sprinkler. The airplane cleared the sprinkler and was departing the western edge of the field when the pilot noticed wires and poles. The right wing tip contacted the lower wire extending from the support poles. The airplane continued flying and the pilot elected to fly the airplane to the Horan Airport, Plainview, Texas, where the airplane landed without further incident. Examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed that approximately 22 inches of the outboard right wing separated from the airplane at the "factory spar splice." A section of right wing spar was bent. No damage was incurred by the transmission lines or poles. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2325G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2325G-2006-12-27), registration cancelled 2006-12-27, S/N 301-0370, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-301 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-301) (registry code 0390103) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 301-0370 - Airframe hours: 5110 - Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Hardage Aerial Spraying, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 12, 1998, 75 hours before - Departed: 1TX5, HALE CENTER, TX - Airport: 9TX3, Horan Airport, runway 35, 2,560 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 3,782 total, 150 in this make and model, 3,622 as pilot in command, 140 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °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 19980708016299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980708016299A), Jul 8, 1998: Airtrc AT301, Plainview, TX, Substantial damage. (.4)The airplane's right wing contacted a wire during an aerial application flight near mart, taxas. The pilot stated that he was making the final pass in a… 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.