Probable cause
The pilot’s inflight collision with a power line during aerial application.
NTSB analysis
While conducting an aerial application flight, the airplane’s left wing contacted a power line on the western edge of the field. The airplane subsequently impacted the ground nose-low and a postimpact fire ensued. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any anomalies which would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN22FA347 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 30, 2022
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Ute, Iowa
- Highest injury
- Fatal
- Fatal injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Air Tractor AT502
- N-number
- N501MW
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2020
- Damage
- Destroyed
- 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.