# NTSB FTW99LA249: Air Tractor AT-502B, N5005G, Seminole, TX, September 6, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 6, 1999, 10:35 local (15:35 UTC) - Place: Seminole, TX - Coordinates: 32.710624, -102.649826 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7106&lon=-102.6498&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47282 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW99LA249 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47282/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA249 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance. ## 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) ## Analysis The pilot was dispensing a pesticide to a cotton field. As the agricultural airplane was crossing over a set of power lines, it struck the top wire. The aircraft impacted the ground 'flat,' slid across a road, and came to a stop upright. ## Factual narrative On September 6, 1999, at 1035 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502B agricultural airplane, N5005G, was substantially damaged when it impacted a power line and terrain while maneuvering near Seminole, Texas. The aircraft was registered to Corning Farm Supply, Inc., of Corning, Arkansas, and operated by Addison Flying Service of Seminole, Texas. The commercial rated pilot, sole occupant of the aircraft, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight originated from the Gaines County Airport located near Seminole, at an unknown time. The pilot reported to the FAA inspector that he was dispensing a pesticide to a cotton field. As the aircraft was crossing over a set of power lines, it struck the top wire. The aircraft impacted the ground "flat," slid across a road, and came to a stop upright. Examination of the aircraft by the FAA inspector revealed that both main landing gear were separated, the firewall was damaged, and the tail section was partially separated just aft of the cockpit area. The propeller and both wing tips were also damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5005G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5005G-2012-08-21), registration cancelled 2012-08-21, S/N 502B-0399, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-502B - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-502B](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-502b) (registry code 0390307) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 502B-0399 - Airframe hours: 1467 - Engines: P&W PT6A-34 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Addison Flying Service - Registered owner: Corning Farm Supply, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 10, 1999, 57 hours before - Departed: 31F ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 15,560 total, 540 in this make and model, 15,400 as pilot in command, 400 in the last 90 days, 150 in the last 30 days, 2 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 ## 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 19990906042699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990906042699A), Sep 6, 1999: Airtrc AT502B, Seminole, TX, No damage. (-23) On September 6, at 1035 CDT, an air tractor AT-502, N5005G was substantially damaged during impact with powerlines and terrain while dispensing… ## Other investigations on N5005G (1) 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. - [NTSB DFW08LA167](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08LA167), Jun 24, 2008: Air Tractor AT-502B (N5005G), Bethany, MO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's decision to take off with a known deficiency. 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.