# NTSB SEA00LA148: Air Tractor AT-301, N4330S, Brockway, MT, July 31, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 31, 2000, 08:13 local (14:13 UTC) - Place: Brockway, MT - Coordinates: 47.309738, -105.990188 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3097&lon=-105.9902&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 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49859 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA00LA148 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49859/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA00LA148 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from 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 - aerial application - object - wire,transmission - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis During a routine aerial application flight, the aircraft collided with a power pole guy wire. The pilot stated that his spray path was parallel to a series of power transmission lines and that he did not see the guy wire prior to the collision. The guy wire severed the outboard section of the aircraft's right wing and aileron. The aircraft subsequently rolled to the right and collided with terrain. The aircraft came to rest, inverted, approximately 1,100 feet from the initial impact. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures that contributed to the accident. ## Factual narrative On July 31, 2000, about 0813 mountain daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301, N4330S, registered to the pilot and operated by Harris Spray, Incorporated, as a 14CFR137 aerial application flight, was substantially damaged after colliding with a power pole guy wire and terrain near Brockway, Montana. The commercial pilot sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The flight originated from Brockway, Montana approximately 15 minutes prior to the accident. During a routine aerial application flight, the aircraft collided with a power pole guy wire. The pilot stated that his spray path was parallel to a series of power transmission lines and that he did not see the guy wire prior to the collision. The guy wire severed the outboard section of the aircraft's right wing and aileron. The aircraft subsequently rolled to the right and collided with terrain. The aircraft came to rest, inverted, approximately 1,100 feet from the initial impact point. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures that contributed to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4330S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4330S-2017-10-26), registration cancelled 2017-10-26, S/N 301-0010, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-301 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-301) (registry code 0390103) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 301-0010 - Airframe hours: 4978 - Engines: P&W R 1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Harris Spray Inc. - Registered owner: Jeff Skyberg - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 4, 2000, 69 hours before - Departed: BROCKWAY, MT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 4,399 total, 863 in this make and model, 4,348 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20000731010099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000731010099A), Jul 31, 2000: Airtrc AT301, Circle, MT, No damage. (-23) Pilot stated that while on a spray path half way down a field at 8-10 feet of altitude, he hit a guy wire off of a pole in the center of the field. Pilot… 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.