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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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July 29, 2023 · Air Tractor AT-402B · N402PR

Alta, IA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 29, 2023
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Alta, IA
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT-402B (2013)
Tail Number
N402PR
Operator
Barts Flying Service
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN23LA336

The pilot reported that he was completing an aerial application flight over a cultivated field. During the fourth pass, the airplane encountered a dust devil (also called a whirlwind), lost lift and impacted powerlines. Upon impact with the powerlines the rudder separated from the airplane and the airplane began a left turn. Unable to arrest the turn, the pilot reduced power and made a forced landing to the field that he was spraying. Upon touch down the left main landing gear separated from the fuselage and the airplane slid to a stop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, vertical stabilizer and rudder. The operator reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or the engine that would have precluded normal operation. A review of the Federal Aviation Administration Aviation (FAA) Weather Handbook (FAA-H-8083-28) and the FAA Aeronautical Information Manual found no detailed information listed about dust devils or the potential hazards of flying through dust devils.

NTSB Probable Cause

The airplane’s encounter with a dust devil, which resulted in a loss of lift, and subsequent collision with powerlines.

Full Narrative

The pilot reported that he was completing an aerial application flight over a cultivated field. During the fourth pass, the airplane encountered a dust devil (also called a whirlwind), lost lift and impacted powerlines. Upon impact with the powerlines the rudder separated from the airplane and the airplane began a left turn. Unable to arrest the turn, the pilot reduced power and made a forced landing to the field that he was spraying. Upon touch down the left main landing gear separated from the fuselage and the airplane slid to a stop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, vertical stabilizer and rudder. The operator reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or the engine that would have precluded normal operation. A review of the Federal Aviation Administration Aviation (FAA) Weather Handbook (FAA-H-8083-28) and the FAA Aeronautical Information Manual found no detailed information listed about dust devils or the potential hazards of flying through dust devils.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAir Tractor AT-402B
Tail NumberN402PR
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBarts Flying Service
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney Canada · PT6A-15HE · Turboprop · 650
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 52 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind20° @ 8 kt
Visibility9 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 64 F
Altimeter30.16 inHg
Observation Time07:35
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data