Air Tractor AT-401 N1009T

Summary

On 20 May 1998 at about 15:15 local time, a Air Tractor AT-401 registered N1009T was involved in an accident near Idaho Falls, Idaho, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

20 May 1998 at 15:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Idaho Falls, Idaho, United States

Coordinates

43.4298, -111.8904

Aircraft

Air Tractor AT-401

Registration

N1009T

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Osgood → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA98LA080

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a power transmission line during an aerial application flight. Factors include a power line located just beyond the boundary of the field being sprayed, and the pilot's incorrect judgement of the distance between the wire and his aircraft.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, who was maneuvering near the power line while applying chemicals to a field, he had just rolled wings-level and descended for another pass when his left wing contacted the top wire of the power line. He said that he saw the line and thought he had clearance, but the aircraft's wing caught the wire near its tip. He reported that after colliding with the power line, the aircraft struck the ground in a 'cart-wheeling' motion. He further stated that he was accustomed to flying the AT-300, but that he had recently purchased the AT-401, and that this was his first application flight using the new aircraft. It was his opinion that the different size and sight-picture of the 401 had caused him to think he had more clearance from the wire than he actually had.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.