# NTSB NYC08CA279: Air Tractor AT-502B, N61267, Tunica, MS, August 13, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 13, 2008, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Tunica, MS - Coordinates: 34.685001, -90.347778 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6850&lon=-90.3478&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 January 22, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68697 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08CA279 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68697/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA279 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power lines during low-altitude maneuvers. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 589 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 1,311 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Perception/orientation/illusion: perception](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 3,100 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/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, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the agricultural airplane flew along a set of power lines, which ran over a wooded area that restricted his ability to see both sides of a field that he was going to spray. After flying along the power lines, he determined that he had enough clearance to "fit under the wire." He thought that it looked "good," and began his spray run on the east side of a field passing under the power lines without incident. He then began a spray run on the west side of the field, but as he approached the power lines he realized that the "wire was too low to go under." Rather than risk hooking his main landing gear on the wires and flipping the airplane onto its back, he chose to "fly into the wire." The airplane received substantial damage to the propeller, engine, empennage, wings and landing gear. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the agricultural airplane flew along a set of power lines, which ran over a wooded area that restricted his ability to see both sides of a field that he was going to spray. After flying along the power lines, he determined that he had enough clearance to "fit under the wire." He thought that it looked "good," and began his spray run on the east side of a field passing under the power lines without incident. He then began a spray run on the west side of the field, but as he approached the power lines he realized that the "wire was too low to go under." Rather than risk hooking his main landing gear on the wires and flipping the airplane onto its back, he chose to "fly into the wire." The airplane received substantial damage to the propeller, engine, empennage, wings and landing gear. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N61267](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N61267-2018-10-22), registration cancelled 2018-10-22, S/N 502B-0303, built 1995 (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-0303 - Airframe hours: 6550 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Delta Dusters Inc. - Registered owner: Broadway and Freiman Aircraft - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 1, 2008 - Departed: NONE, Sledge, MS - Destination: Tunica, MS - Airport: NONE, None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2008; seat: single; flight hours: 15,000 total, 3,000 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.80 inHg - Observed at: OLV, 43 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 20080813842619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080813842619A), Aug 13, 2008: Airtrc AT502B, Tunica, MS, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot hit power lines entering field for aerial application. ## Other investigations on N61267 (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 CEN15LA389](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA389), Aug 27, 2015: Air Tractor AT 502B (N61267), Monroe, NE, substantial damage. Probable cause: Loss of propeller thrust for reasons that could not be determined, since examination of the airplane's engine, propeller, and associated accessories revealed no anomalies. 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.