# NTSB GAA19CA303: Air Tractor AT502, N60518, Rockford, OH, May 31, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 31, 2019, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Rockford, OH - Coordinates: 40.614166, -84 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6142&lon=-84.0000&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 13, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99529 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA303 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99529/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99529 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA303 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines 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: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/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-502B, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 46 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during an agricultural application flight, he flew under power lines, climbed, and then made a 180º left turn to the south for another low-level pass. While approaching the field, the airplane struck the power lines and then impacted terrain. The pilot added that he forgot the wires were there and did not see them on the pass. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and the tail cone. 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 of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, during an aerial application flight, he flew under power lines, climbed, and made a 180º left turn to the south for another low-level pass. While he approached the field, the airplane struck the power lines and impacted terrain. The pilot added that he forgot the wires were there and did not see them on the pass. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and tailcone. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N60518](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N60518-2023-02-04), registration cancelled 2023-02-04, S/N 502B-0346, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT502 (B) - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-502B](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-502b) (registry code 0390307) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 502B-0346 - Year built: 1996 - Airframe hours: 8261 - Engines: Pratt and Whitney PT6-34AG turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Neal Aircraft Inc - Registered owner: Neal Aircraft Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 11, 2019 - Departed: VNW, Van Wert, OH - Destination: VNW, Van Wert, OH - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 21, 2018; seat: single; flight hours: 2,684 total, 1,122 in this make and model, 2,273 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 22.7 in the last 30 days, 12 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Observed at: KVNW, 15 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 20190531005509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190531005509A), May 31, 2019: Air Tractor Inc AT-502B, Rockford, OH, Substantial damage. Pilot was spraying liquid on a field to east of accident site. He made three passes each time flying under the high voltage power wires between two towers.… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 9, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99529. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 982 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479781&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 148 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479782&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.