# NTSB GAA19CA352: Air Tractor AT402, N5044Y, Liberal, KS, June 17, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 17, 2019, 11:41 local (16:41 UTC) - Place: Liberal, KS - Coordinates: 37.043056, -100.921112 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0431&lon=-100.9211&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: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 13, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99655 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA352 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99655/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99655 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA352 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to see and avoid a windmill tower while maneuvering at low altitude. ## 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-402A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=0390206), [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-402A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022017/cases.md?model=0390206), [All aircraft, 55 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022017/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: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0390206), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=0390206), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during an agricultural application flight, his attention was focused "on a shed and electrical lines." While maneuvering to the north at a low altitude, the airplane's right wing collided with an unseen galvanized windmill tower. He reported that the tower had blended into the gray sky. He attempted to control the airplane, but it descended and impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. 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 during an agricultural application flight, his attention was focused, "on a shed and electrical lines." While maneuvering to the north at a low altitude, the airplane's right wing collided with an unseen galvanized windmill tower. He reported that the tower had blended into the gray sky. He attempted to control the airplane, but it descended and collided with the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5044Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5044Y-2021-01-08), registration cancelled 2021-01-08, S/N 402A-1036, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT402 (A) - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-402A](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-402a) (registry code 0390206) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 402A-1036 - Year built: 1997 - Airframe hours: 6958.8 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-11AG 550 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Crop-Serv Inc. - Registered owner: Crop-Serv Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 3, 2019 - Departed: MEJ, Meade, KS - Destination: MEJ, Meade, KS - Equipment: Stall warning system, Handheld GPS, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 20, 2018; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 8,171 total, 746 in this make and model, 8,016 as pilot in command, 74 in the last 90 days, 42 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: KLBL, 2 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 20190617007209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190617007209A), Jun 17, 2019: Air Tractor Inc AT-402A, Liberal, KS, Substantial damage. 17 June 2019... Monday morning flight departed mej airport to spray a pasture east of Liberal, Kansas. AWOS reported winds 140-6KT, at approximately 11:30AM,… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 23, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99655. 4.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477013&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 341 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477014&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.