# NTSB MIA01LA037: Air Tractor AT-502B, N50470, Belle Glade, FL, December 6, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 6, 2000, 09:15 local (14:15 UTC) - Place: Belle Glade, FL - Coordinates: 26.68095, -80.670326 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.6809&lon=-80.6703&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 6, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 50735 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA01LA037 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50735/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA01LA037 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain a visual lookout during a swath run resulting in an in-flight collision with known wires along the swath run, and a loss of directional control on landing roll due to flight control damage sustained during the in-flight collision. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - object - wire,static - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis The pilot made a swath run to the west, turned east bound and collided with known wires along the swath route. The pilot immediately experienced flight control problems due to damage from the in-flight collision. He returned to the departure airport, landed, and experienced a loss of directional control on landing roll out. ## Factual narrative On December 6, 2000, at about 0915 eastern standard time, an Air Tractor AT-502, N50470, registered to a private owner, operated by South Florida Crop Care as a 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight experienced an in-flight collision with a wire during an aerial application swath run. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated from Belle Glade State Airport, Belle Glade, Florida, about 30 minutes before the accident. The pilot stated he had made an aerial application swath run to west, turned east and collided with wires. He further stated he had sprayed in the area before and picked out the wrong wires resulting in the in-flight collision with the wires. He immediately experienced a control problem and was going to make a forced landing to a highway, but elected not to do so due to traffic. He approached Belle Glade State Airport from the north and was planning on making a right turn to runway 27. He had to use full left aileron to prevent the airplane from rolling. On touchdown, the airplane started an uncommanded turn to the right, departed the runway, skipped a ditch into a cane field, and spun around 180 degrees before coming to a complete stop. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N50470](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50470-2020-05-01), registration cancelled 2020-05-01, S/N 502B-0492, built 1998 (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-0492 - Airframe hours: 1864 - Engines: P&W PT6-34 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: South Florida Crop Care - Registered owner: Howard Baggett - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 26, 2000, 163 hours before - Departed: X10 - Airport: X10, Belle Glade State Airport, runway 27, 3,750 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 25,000 total, 5,000 in this make and model, 25,000 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PBI, 38 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 20001206041339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20001206041339A), Dec 6, 2000: Airtrc AT502B, Belle Grade, FL, Substantial damage. (.4) On December 6, 2000, at about 0915 eastern standard time, an air tractor AT-502, N50470, registered to a private owner, operated by south Florida crop… 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.