Air Tractor AT 602 N602FH accident near Tiro, Ohio

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance while attempting to fly under power lines during an aerial application pass.

NTSB analysis

The pilot was conducting an aerial application flight at the time of the accident. Before spraying, he circled the field and noted high tension power lines. He completed 3 spray runs without incident, passing under the power lines on 2 of those passes. However, on the 4th pass, the pilot "did not maintain a low enough altitude" and the vertical stabilizer struck the lines. The upper portion of the vertical stabilizer and the entire rudder separated from the airframe. He was able to maintain control with a "total loss of rudder control" and executed a forced landing to a harvested wheat field.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN20CA312 for the full record.