Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line pole during an agricultural application flight.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that, during an agricultural application flight, the airplane's right wing struck a power line pole and then impacted terrain.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, and the empennage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA18CA563 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 21, 2018
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Napoleon, North Dakota
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Air Tractor AT802
- N-number
- N968JB
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2016
- 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.