Pilot Debrief

Air Tractor AT 502 near Americus, GA — 2018-11-28

Final reportGAA19CA078
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Date
2018-11-28
Location
Americus, GA, USA
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT 502
Registration
N843WA
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to see and avoid a power line during an agricultural application flight.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during an agricultural application flight, he surveyed a field before spraying and saw multiple power lines and poles. While spraying the field and after turning, about 20 ft above the ground, he pulled up and immediately felt "a massive jerk" and saw a "flash" due to the airplane's nose striking a power wire. The airplane entered a descending turn to an open field adjacent to the spray field. The pilot pushed the power lever forward but did not get a response. During the forced landing, the right wing struck a tree, the airplane rotated 180°, and the left wing and empennage impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents2

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