Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power wires while maneuvering at a low altitude.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that, during an agricultural application flight, he made six passes underneath power wires to complete the applications. On the seventh pass underneath the power wires, the wire deflector cable and the vertical stabilizer struck the wires. The pilot asserted that the vertical stabilizer jammed the rudder to the left, and the airplane entered a skidding left turn and then impacted terrain. The airplane was consumed by fire.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA20CA033 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 17, 2019
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Fabens, Texas
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Weatherly 620
- N-number
- N9033T
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1996
- 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.