Probable cause
The pilot's failure to see and avoid a power line during an agricultural application flight.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that, during an agricultural application flight, he surveyed a field before spraying and saw multiple power lines and poles. While spraying the field and after turning, about 20 ft above the ground, he pulled up and immediately felt "a massive jerk" and saw a "flash" due to the airplane's nose striking a power wire. The airplane entered a descending turn to an open field adjacent to the spray field. The pilot pushed the power lever forward but did not get a response. During the forced landing, the right wing struck a tree, the airplane rotated 180°, and the left wing and empennage impacted the ground.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage.
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 GAA19CA078 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Nov 28, 2018
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Americus, Georgia
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Air Tractor AT 502
- N-number
- N843WA
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1988
- 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.