Ayres Corporation S 2R N3003N accident near Cordele, Georgia

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an agricultural application flight while flying toward the sun.

NTSB analysis

According to the pilot, he was maneuvering at low altitude, while performing an agricultural aerial application flight. He reported that he decided to fly underneath power lines and misjudged the height of the lines in relation to the airplane. He recalled that the airplane's vertical stabilizer and rudder struck the power lines. He landed the airplane in a field and the landing gear collapsed. The vertical stabilizer, rudder, left wing and fuselage sustained substantial damage.

The Federal Aviation Administration Aviation Safety Inspector that interviewed the pilot shortly after the accident, reported that the pilot stated that the sun was in his eyes as he passed under the power lines. He reported that the pilot did not immediately execute a precautionary landing after striking the lines; instead he made one more spray pass.

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operations.

During the course of the investigation, the NTSB Investigator-in-charge attempted to contact the pilot on multiple occasions to no avail. The pilot did not submit an NTSB Form 6120.1.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA16CA451 for the full record.