Air Tractor Inc AT-802A N86BM accident near Huntingburg, Indiana

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a power line 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 analysis

The pilot conducted an aerial application flight over three fields for about an hour. Data recovered from the on-board GPS system, which recorded the airplane's flight path and altitude, revealed that the pilot flew two full circles over the first field before beginning aerial application to that field. According to the operator, these circles were consistent with routine "scouting" passes to look for obstructions. The data showed that no similar "scouting" circles were flown over either the second or third field. The aerial application on the third field was completed in a small valley, and the pilot appeared to be set up to spray on an easterly heading, into the sun. Power lines were oriented on a north-south heading at the east end of this field. The airplane struck one of these power lines and then continued briefly in an easterly direction before it impacted terrain.

Examination of the accident site revealed that a power line was severed from the impact and that pieces of the power line were among main wreckage. A postaccident examination did not reveal any evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal airplane operation. According to the operator, before a pilot sprays a field, it is normal to circle the field at least once to look for obstructions. Because the pilot did not adequately scout the area for potential hazards and was flying toward the sun, it is likely that he was not aware of the power lines and did not see them before impact.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN13LA424 for the full record.