# NTSB FTW99LA239: Air Tractor AT-401, N15119, Hart, TX, August 25, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 25, 1999, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Hart, TX - Coordinates: 34.380401, -102.109611 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3804&lon=-102.1096&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47200 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW99LA239 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47200/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA239 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with 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) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot failed to maintain clearance with power lines during an aerial application flight. The pilot maneuvered the agricultural airplane under some wires and around a tree. During the maneuver, the airplane's right wing clipped the wires, and the airplane impacted the ground. ## Factual narrative On August 25, 1999, at 1430 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-401 agricultural airplane, N15119, was substantially damaged during impact with wires and terrain while maneuvering near Hart, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by Central Plains Spraying, Inc., of Hart, Texas. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight originated approximately 1400 from the operator's private airstrip. During a telephone interview conducted by the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot stated that he was spraying fields in the local area. At the west end of the fields, there were power lines oriented north-south, supported by two poles. A pond was located below the power lines and between the support poles. According to the pilot, the pond was a little larger than usual due to the extra rainfall the area had experienced this year. The pilot added that some of the crops had been destroyed because the pond area had expanded. The pilot, therefore, decided that he would have enough room to fly over the power lines instead of flying under them, which is what his usual practice was for these fields. As the pilot initiated a westbound climb over the lines, he realized that he "misjudged his ability to clear the top wires." Subsequently, the pilot elected to "dive down under the wires." As the pilot maneuvered under the wires, he had to divert to the left around an 8 foot tree located below the power lines. He added that he "over-controlled the airplane while turning to the left" and then "felt a hard jerk." The pilot could not recall any more of the event. The airplane came to rest inverted in a field 211 feet west of the power lines. The FAA inspector, who visited the accident site, stated that the right wing had "clipped" the power lines, and the left wing subsequently impacted the ground below the power lines. According to the inspector, the wing spars and forward fuselage sustained structural damage. Additional damage was sustained to the propeller, the engine, and the hopper. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N15119](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15119-2013-06-10), registration cancelled 2013-06-10, S/N 401-0831, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-401 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-401](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-401) (registry code 0390204) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 401-0831 - Airframe hours: 2207 - Engines: P&W 1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Central Plains Spraying, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 16, 1999, 262 hours before - Departed: NONE - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 14,000 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 13,800 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 12 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: AMA, 30 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 19990825040639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990825040639A), Aug 25, 1999: Airtrc AT401, Hart, TX, No damage. (-23) On August 25, 1999, at 1430 central daylight time, a air tractor AT-401, N15119 was substantially damaged during impact with powerlines and terrain while… 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.