Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line pole during a low-level aerial application flight, which resulted in impact with the bracket and a subsequent forced landing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that after completing a low-level aerial application over a field, he executed a trim pass on the north side of the field. While flying between 160 and 180 mph, the airplane’s propeller impacted a metal bracket attached to the top of a 35-ft power line pole. After the impact, there were "extreme" vibrations throughout the engine and airframe, and oil from the engine coated the front three windshield panels. The pilot attempted to clear the oil with the windshield wiper system but was not successful.
The pilot maneuvered the airplane to perform an emergency landing to a dirt road about 1/2 mile north of the power line pole. Both wings and the rudder sustained substantial damage during the forced landing.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN20LA109 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Feb 25, 2020
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Dumas, Arkansas
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Air Tractor AT 602
- N-number
- N5197Y
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1999
- 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.