AIR TRACTOR INC AT-400 near Steward, IL — 2013-07-19
- Date
- 2013-07-19
- Location
- Steward, IL, USA
- Airport
- C73
- Aircraft
- AIR TRACTOR INC AT-400
- Registration
- N155HF
- Category
- Airplane
- Highest injury
- None
- Fatalities
- 0
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the guy wires during an aerial application maneuver. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to identify potential obstructions in the area before beginning low-altitude maneuvers.
NTSB narrative
The pilot reported that he circled the field to check for obstacles before beginning to apply the agricultural product, but did not see any obstructions. He made the first aerial application pass without incident; however, during the second pass, the airplane hit guy wires "head on." The guy wires extended farther into the field than the pilot was accustomed to and can be difficult to see. The airplane impacted the cornfield, and the two adjacent towers were toppled by the impact with the guy wires. The pilot reported that there was no preaccident malfunction or system failure of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
NTSB coding
Evidence available
- Photos
- 7 docket documents
Docket documents7
- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1form
- Accident Site Diagramother
- Photo 1. View of wreckage in a corn field.photos
- Photo 2. View of cockpit and wings with a steel cable wrapped around the wreckage.photos
- Photo 3. View of the propeller separated from the engine and laying in the corn field.photos
- Photo 4. View of an adjacent tower that was not damaged.photos
- Photo 5. View of the two towers that collapsed.photos
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