Pilot Debrief

AIR TRACTOR INC AT-502 near East Grand Forks, MN — 2022-07-21

Final reportCEN22LA342
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Date
2022-07-21
Location
East Grand Forks, MN, USA
Aircraft
AIR TRACTOR INC AT-502
Registration
N1540S
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the power lines during a low-level application pass.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, while maneuvering to apply chemical to a field at low altitude, the top of the vertical stabilizer struck a set of power lines. The pilot reported that “the rudder was hammed and [he] had no rudder control.” The pilot made a forced landing in a wheat field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported no preaccident failures or malfunctions with the airplane before the collision with the power lines that would have precluded normal operations.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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