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December 6, 2000 · Air Tractor AT-502B · N50470

Belle Glade, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 6, 2000
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Belle Glade, FL
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT-502B
Tail Number
N50470
Operator
South Florida Crop Care
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA01LA037

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.

NTSB 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.

Full 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.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:15 EST
Nearest AirportBelle Glade State Airport (0nm)
Runway27
Runway Length3750 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAir Tractor AT-502B
Tail NumberN50470
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSouth Florida Crop Care
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6-34 · Turboprop · 750
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 61 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 55
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time13:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data