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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

September 4, 2015 · Air Tractor AT 402A A · N321DA

Fort Pierre, SD

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 4, 2015
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Fort Pierre, SD
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT 402A A (1991)
Tail Number
N321DA
Operator
Randy a Yost / Barbara J Yost
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
GAA15CA251

The pilot reported that after conducting a pass over a field during an aerial application flight, he passed clear of a tower but did not see the tower support guy-wires and collided with them. He stated, "After the guy-wire impact there was an immediate sound of the engine starting to lose power and/or shut down." The pilot then performed an emergency landing on a gravel road without further incident. A post flight inspection revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance, which resulted in the airplane striking guy-wires during aerial application operations.

Full Narrative

The pilot reported that after conducting a pass over a field during an aerial application flight, he passed clear of a tower but did not see the tower support guy-wires and collided with them. He stated, "After the guy-wire impact there was an immediate sound of the engine starting to lose power and/or shut down." The pilot then performed an emergency landing on a gravel road without further incident. A post flight inspection revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Aviation Life Support Systems The pilot reported that he was wearing a Gentex Corporation HGU-55/E helmet for the flight. He stated, "The face shield/visor protected my eyes and upper face from impact injuries of the windshield/miscellaneous debris and also from engine oil." He also stated that, "The helmet itself protected my head from physical injury." The helmet sustained no noticeable damage from the accident. The Air Tractor AT-402 airplane flight manual states the following placard must be displayed, "Occupant must attach seatbelt and shoulder harness and wear a DOT approved or mil-spec crash helmet."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:55 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAir Tractor AT 402A A
Tail NumberN321DA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRandy a Yost / Barbara J Yost
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney · PT6A-15AG · Turboprop · 680
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 23 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind20° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 64 F
Altimeter29.69 inHg
Observation Time12:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data