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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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August 17, 2011 · Air Tractor AT-602 · N8518Y

Pine Bluffs, WY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 17, 2011
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Pine Bluffs, WY
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT-602
Tail Number
N8518Y
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR11LA388

According to the pilot, he was conducting an aerial application flight when he inadvertently struck power lines while maneuvering. The airplane struck the ground with the right wing first and then rolled to the left, coming to rest with the left wing and tail section contacting the ground. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane and stated the accident could have been prevented if he had paid more attention to the wire height, and maintained additional clearance above the wires.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Altitude-Not attained/maintained - C

Full Narrative

On August 17, 2011, about 1400 mountain daylight time, an Air Tractor, Inc., AT-602, N8518Y, impacted power line wires while maneuvering to spray a potato field near Pine Bluffs, Wyoming. The impact with the wires directed the airplane toward the ground and resulted in an unplanned landing. Top Hat Aerial Applicators, Inc., operated the aerial application flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. The pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries; the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area flight, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight departed from Pine Bluffs Municipal Airport (82V), Pine Bluffs, Wyoming, about 1300, and was scheduled to terminate at 82V. According to the pilot's written statement, the airplane struck the top wire of a power line set just prior to commencing the spraying operation. The pilot stated that the airplane descended toward the field, and the right wing hit the ground followed by the engine. The airplane rolled to the left, with the left wing and tail sections contacting the ground; the airplane came to rest upright. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane, and the accident could have been prevented if he had paid more attention to the wire height and maintained additional clearance above the wires.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 MDT
Nearest AirportPine Bluffs Municipal Airport (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAir Tractor AT-602
Tail NumberN8518Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6A SER · Turboprop · 750
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 47 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50
Altimeter30.17 inHg
Observation Time19:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data