Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power line during a low altitude aerial application maneuver.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was conducting aerial application passes parallel to a transmission power line. During the final trim pass, the pilot flew out of the field and over the power line. As he was passing over the power line, the propeller blades struck a wire that he did not see, and the engine lost power. The pilot indicated that he conducted a controlled "crash landing" about 1.5 miles away from the power line strike during which the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot further reported that "there was no malfunction prior to hitting the powerline."
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN19TA131 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 28, 2019
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Quanah, Texas
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Air Tractor AT 602
- N-number
- N602AM
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1997
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 137 (agricultural)
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial application
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.