# NTSB GAA18CA563: Air Tractor AT802, N968JB, Napoleon, ND, September 21, 2018

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 21, 2018, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Napoleon, ND
- Coordinates: 46.518333, -99.765274 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.5183&lon=-99.7653&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 8, 2019
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 98337
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA563
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98337/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98337
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA563

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line pole 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-802A, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=0390308), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: pole](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-802A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md?model=0390308), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-802A, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=0390308), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, during an agricultural application flight, the airplane's right wing struck a power line pole and then impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, and the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, during an agricultural application flight, the right wing struck a power line pole and the airplane impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N968JB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N968JB-2021-10-30), registration cancelled 2021-10-30, S/N 802A-0669, built 2016 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT802 (A)
- Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-802A](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-802a) (registry code 0390308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-65AG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-65ag) (registry code 52109, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 802A-0669
- Year built: 2016
- Airframe hours: 600
- Engines: P&W Canada PT6 turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 1, 2018
- Departed: Napoleon, ND
- Destination: Napoleon, ND
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 15, 2017; seat: center; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 4,600 total, 600 in this make and model, 4,600 as pilot in command, 220 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Altimeter: 30.31 inHg
- Observed at: K7L2, 27 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 20180921013999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180921013999A), Sep 21, 2018: Air Tractor Inc AT-802A, Napoleon, ND, Substantial damage. While attempting to conduct aerial application of herbicide adjacent to a set of power lines, the pilot struck the top of a power line pole with his right…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 12, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98337. 4.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469310&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 2.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469311&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.

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