Pilot Debrief

Air Tractor AT502 near Monument, KS — 2019-06-07

Final reportGAA19CA328
Sign in to save
Date
2019-06-07
Location
Monument, KS, USA
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT502
Registration
N60642
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain altitude due to distraction by ground equipment in the airplane’s path, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance from crops during an agricultural application flight and resulted in a loss of airplane control.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during an agricultural application flight and while the airplane was about 10 ft above ground level, he became distracted by ground equipment in the airplane's path, and he inadvertently allowed the airplane to descend, which resulted in the right main landing gear descending and the right spray boom descending into the wheat crop. The airplane veered right, descended uncontrollably, and impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, and the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures 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

Related mishaps