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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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August 8, 2011 · Air Tractor AT-602 · N5123L

Willcox, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 8, 2011
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Willcox, AZ
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT-602
Tail Number
N5123L
Operator
M & J Bailey
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR11LA375

During an aerial application flight, the pilot was performing a calibration pass on the target field at an altitude of about 60 feet above ground level when the airplane struck an unmarked 80-foot-tall tower. The airplane's engine lost power, and during the forced landing, the airplane struck a fence, which damaged the left wing. According to the pilot, the tower had recently been installed without his knowledge.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tower while maneuvering at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the recent installation of the unmarked tower.

Full Narrative

On August 8, 2011, approximately 0530 mountain standard time, an Air Tractor AT-602, N5123L, sustained substantial damage when it impacted a tower while maneuvering near Willcox, Arizona. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, received minor injuries. M and J Bailey, Inc., Dalhart, Texas, was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the early morning aerial application flight, which had originated about 15 minutes before the accident. A flight plan had not been filed. The pilot reported that he was performing a calibration pass on his target field at an altitude of about 60 feet above ground level when the airplane struck an unmarked 80-foot-tall tower. The airplane's engine caught fire and lost power. During the forced landing sequence, the airplane struck a fence, which damaged the left wing. According to the pilot, the tower had recently been installed without his knowledge.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time05:30 MST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAir Tractor AT-602
Tail NumberN5123L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorM & J Bailey
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W Canada · PT6A-66 SER · Turboprop · 850
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 51 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDawn
Wind320° @ 14 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter29.93 inHg
Observation Time11:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data