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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

May 21, 2004 · Air Tractor AT-301 · N3168H

Donna, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 21, 2004
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Donna, TX
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT-301
Tail Number
N3168H
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW04LA132

The 4,300-hour pilot reported that the airplane collided with power lines while maneuvering during an aerial application flight. The airplane descended and collided with the ground.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the high tension power lines.

Full Narrative

On May 21, 2004, at 0815 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301 single-engine tailwheel-equipped agricultural airplane, N3168H, registered to and operated by Moad Aviation Inc., of Weslaco, Texas, was substantially damaged when it struck a power line and impacted the ground during an aerial application flight near Donna, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight originated from a private airstrip, near Donna, Texas, at 0740. The 4,300-hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that he had been performing an aerial application on a field using a "squeeze" pattern, starting from the outside of the field moving inwards to the middle. After approximately three-quarters of the field had been sprayed, the pilot changed directions and initiated an entry to the field from another direction. As the pilot was flying downwind under three electrical power lines, the airplane struck two of the lines. Subsequently, the airplane impacted the ground approximately 50 feet from the power lines, and came to rest upright approximately 125 feet from the initial point of impact. Examination of the airplane by the pilot revealed the top portion of the vertical stabilizer and rudder were sheered off. The engine and both main landing gears were separated from the fuselage. Both power lines were severed. The pilot stated in the NTSB Form 6120.1/2 that in-flight visibility was greater than 10 statute miles, wind from the southeast at 8 knots, with a broken layer of clouds at 2,000 feet above ground level.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:15 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAir Tractor AT-301
Tail NumberN3168H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney · R-1340-AN1 · Reciprocating · 600
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 54 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 8 kt
Visibility76 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data