Pilot Debrief

Air Tractor AT 502 near Lamesa, TX — 2019-10-22

Final reportCEN20LA013
Sign in to save
Date
2019-10-22
Location
Lamesa, TX, USA
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT 502
Registration
N9143F
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The pilot's improper decision to maneuver at a low altitude and in close proximity to a wind turbine undergoing maintenance, which resulted in a collision with a tagline rope being held by a worker on the ground and serious injury to the worker.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was returning from a local aerial application flight when he decided to fly at low altitude past a wind turbine that he believed his friend was working on. The airplane's right wing collided with a tagline rope that was attached to one of the wind turbine blades and being held by a worker on the ground. The worker was thrown about 20 ft and sustained several fractured vertebrae and a broken leg. The airplane's right wing sustained minor damage; however, the pilot was able to make a normal landing at his intended destination without incident.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided low altitude flight near wind turbine.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

Related mishaps