Air Tractor AT 502B N51990

Summary

On 22 April 2014 at about 18:10 local time, a Air Tractor AT 502B registered N51990 was involved in an accident near Garfield, Kansas, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

22 April 2014 at 18:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Garfield, Kansas, United States

Coordinates

38.0764, -99.2450

Aircraft

Air Tractor AT 502B

Registration

N51990

Category

Airplane

Year built

1999

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Pratt → Garfield

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN14LA211

1 person died.

The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and subsequent failure to remain clear of power lines while maneuvering low to the ground.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was preparing to spray a hay field when the airplane collided with the top set of power lines that were about 60 feet tall and impacted the ground. The operator said that this was the pilot's first time spraying this field and that the pilot was not familiar with the field or the surrounding obstacles. The operator reported that a stand of trees was opposite the power lines and that it was difficult to see the top wires as you approached the field because "they would get lost in the trees." Postaccident examination of the airplane and engine revealed no pre-impact mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation prior to the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.