# NTSB NYC90DGM01: Air Tractor AT-400, N2369N, Tyrone, PA, May 8, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: May 8, 1990, 06:35 local (10:35 UTC)
- Place: Tyrone, PA
- Coordinates: 40.669929, -78.239913 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6699&lon=-78.2399&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36493
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90DGM01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36493/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90DGM01

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM OBSTRUCTIONS DURING LOW LEVEL AERIAL APPLICATION OPERATIONS. THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT WAS A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE MADE TWO UNEVENTFUL AERIAL APPLICATION PASSES IN A VALLEY AREA WITHOUT OBSERVING ANY OBSTRUCTIONS.  ON THE THIRD PASS, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK POWERLINES THAT HAD BEEN STRUNG FROM RIDGETOP TO RIDGETOP.  THE AIRCRAFT THEN DESCENDED INTO A WOODED HILLSIDE AND ERUPTED WITH FIRE AFTER IMPACT.  THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD OVERFLOWN THE AREA LOOKING FOR OBSTACLES PRIOR TO BEGINNING THE AERIAL APPLICATION OPERATION.  HE REPORTED THAT HE NEVER SAW THE POWERLINES BEFORE THE AIRPLANE HIT THEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2369N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2369N-2013-03-18), registration cancelled 2013-03-18, S/N 400-0416, built 1981 (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: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 400-0416
- Airframe hours: 2300
- Engines: P&W PT6-15AG 680 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Aero Tech,Inc.
- Registered owner: Ted Stallings
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 3, 1990, 20 hours before
- Departed: 7G4, NEWRY, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 10,000 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 9,000 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AOO

## 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 19900508014699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900508014699A), May 8, 1990: Airtrc AT400, Tyrone, PA, Destroyed. Struck power line on 3rd pass over spray field. Crashed in trees and burned. Had surveyed area but failed see wires

## Other investigations on N2369N (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 FTW82DA372](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA372), Sep 9, 1982: Air Tractor AT-400 (N2369N), Muleshoe, TX, substantial damage

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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