View of damaged right wing of airplane in a bean field.
Federal Aviation Administration
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Lincoln, Nebraska
Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
https://registry.faa.gov/N730JD
Location: Waco, NE
Accident Number: GAA19CA480
Date & Time: 08/04/2019, 1230 CDT
Registration: N730JD
Aircraft: Air Tractor AT502
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Low altitude operation/event
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 137: Agricultural
The pilot reported that, during an agricultural application flight, he circled the intended spray field looking for obstacles, and noted a "big tower" and saw guy wires. He then approached the field from the south, and began looking for the previously seen wires, but "must have gotten fixated on the lower wires," and the airplane struck wires he had not seen. The airplane pitched up to the right, the wires broke, and the airplane surged forward. He subsequently maneuvered and landed the airplane on a nearby bean field.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and engine mounts.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Pilot Information
Certificate: Commercial
Age: 55, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Single
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 03/04/2019
Occupational Pilot:Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 02/08/2019
Flight Time: (Estimated) 9000 hours (Total, all aircraft), 2220 hours (Total, this make and model), 9000 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 300 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 150 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 10 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Air Tractor
Registration: N730JD
Model/Series: AT502 B
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2012
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Restricted
Serial Number: 502B-2819
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 1
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.:
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Turbo Prop
Airframe Total Time: 2220 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: P&W Canada
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series: PT6A-34AG
Registered Owner: Sky Tech Inc
Rated Power: 750 hp
Operator: Sky Tech Inc
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Agricultural Aircraft (137)
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KJYR, 1664 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 6 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1735 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 245°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 3100 ft agl
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 3 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 180°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.08 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 28°C / 22°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Fairmont, NE (FMZ)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Fairmont, NE (FMZ)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1130 CDT
Type of Airspace: Class G
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 40.937778, -97.502222 (est)
Pilot's narrative of flying to a safe landing is inspiring. See Pilots Accident Report in the docket.
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