# NTSB GAA17CA385: Air Tractor AT 502, N6135P, Edna, TX, July 2, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 2, 2017, 10:40 local (15:40 UTC) - Place: Edna, TX - Coordinates: 28.98611, -96.758888 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.9861&lon=-96.7589&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 23, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95503 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA385 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95503/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95503 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA385 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to see and avoid a tower during an agricultural application flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tower/antenna (incl guy wires)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022017/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 55 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022017/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while maneuvering at low altitude over a field during an agricultural application flight, he was focused on the top of electrical poles that paralleled the field. He added that he crossed between the electrical poles and was focused on the pole to the right of the airplane. Once he crossed the top wire, he focused his attention forward, but added that he "was staring at a 30-ft tower just to the left of the nose" of the airplane. The airplane struck the tower and then impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, while maneuvering at low altitude over a field during an aerial application flight, he was focused on the top of the electrical poles that paralleled the field. He added that he crossed between the electrical poles and was focused on the pole to the right of the airplane. Once he crossed the top wire he focused his attention forward, but added that he "was staring at a 30-ft tower just to the left of the nose" of the airplane. The airplane struck the tower and then impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6135P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6135P-2020-05-06), registration cancelled 2020-05-06, S/N 502B-0286, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT 502 (B) - 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-0286 - Year built: 1995 - Airframe hours: 9428.7 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Coastal Flying Service Inc - Registered owner: Coastal Flying Service Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 7, 2016 - Departed: Ganado, TX - Destination: Ganado, TX - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Satellite tracking device, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 28, 2016; seat: single; flight hours: 6,499 total, 2,081 in this make and model, 6,499 as pilot in command, 171 in the last 90 days, 55 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 11 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,700 ft broken - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: KVCT, 12 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 20170702010799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170702010799A), Jul 2, 2017: Air Tractor Inc AT-502B, Edna, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot was spraying a field and setting up for his next run while looking for a young boy who was outside on a previous trip. Pilot wanted to make sure and not… ## Other investigations on N6135P (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 CEN19FA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA003), Oct 12, 2018: Air Tractor AT502 (N6135P), Placedo, TX, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the antenna tower, a known obstruction, during the agricultural application flight. Contributing to the accident was glare from the sun which hindered… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 14, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95503. 4.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458856&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 519 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458857&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.