# NTSB MKC89LA123: Air Tractor AT-400, N3159W, Poplar Bluff, MO, June 2, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 2, 1989, 13:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Poplar Bluff, MO
- Coordinates: 36.760051, -90.400138 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7601&lon=-90.4001&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34800
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA123
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34800/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA123

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND MISJUDGED THE CLEARANCE OF THE AIRCRAFT'S VERTICAL STABILIZER FROM THE POWER LINES.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - flight control,rudder - jammed
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

WHILE CONDUCTING AN AERIAL APPLICATION OPERATION, THE COMMERCIAL PLT FLEW UNDER POWER LINES. THE NEUTRAL STABILIZER FAILED TO CLEAR THE LINES WHICH CAUSED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE EMPENNAGE. THE PLT SAID THE RUDDER WAS INOPERABLE SO HE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A STRAIGHT AHEAD EMERGENCY LANDING IN A FARM FIELD. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN CAUSING ADDITIONAL DAMAGE TO THE LANDING GEAR AND WINGS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3159W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3159W-2006-04-21), registration cancelled 2006-04-21, S/N 400-0474, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR AT-400
- Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-400](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-400) (registry code 0390202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0474
- Airframe hours: 3755
- Engines: P&W PT6-15AG 680 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Hall, John M.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1988, 58 hours before
- Departed: POF, POPLAR BLUFF, MO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,750 total, 700 in this make and model, 4,662 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CGI, 60 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 19890602049069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890602049069A), Jun 2, 1989: Airtrc AT400, Poplar Bluff, MO, Substantial damage. Tail assembly struck wires while pilot was flying under them. Uncontrollable aircraft collided with the ground.

## Other investigations on N3159W (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 FTW04LA201](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA201), Jul 31, 2004: Air Tractor AT-400 (N3159W), Clayton, LA, destroyed. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the high tension power lines.

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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