The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Atlanta, Georgia
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Dawson Brothers Spraying Service Inc
Accident Number: ERA20LA306
Date & Time: September 3, 2020, 08:46 Local
Registration: N30529
Aircraft: THRUSH S2R-H80
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Low altitude operation/event
Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Aerial application
Analysis
The commercial pilot reported that, while spraying a field during his first agricultural application flight, he flew the airplane over the field east and west and was blinded by the sun. For the next application, he decided to fly north and south over the field, so the sun was not in his eyes. The airplane was operating normally, and he finished spraying the field. He remembered that he was supposed to spray another field to the east, but he could not remember anything after that. The airplane was found resting in the field. The airplane and a 150-ft-tall antenna tower located on the east edge of the field were substantially damaged, and a portion of the tower structure was found entangled with the right wing. The pilot was seriously injured. Review of astronomical data indicated that the sun at the time of the accident in relation to the tower location was almost due east. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an antenna tower while maneuvering during an agricultural application flight while flying directly toward the sun.
Findings
Personnel issues Monitoring environment - Pilot
Environmental issues Tower/antenna (incl guy wires) - Effect on operation
Environmental issues Glare - Effect on personnel
Factual Information
History of Flight
Maneuvering-low-alt flying Low altitude operation/event (Defining event)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Commercial
Age: 29,Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Multi-engine land
Seat Occupied: Single
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 Without waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: October 25, 2019
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: May 16, 2020
Flight Time: 2610 hours (Total, all aircraft), 200 hours (Total, this make and model), 2503 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 300 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 90 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: THRUSH
Registration: N30529
Model/Series: S2R-H80
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2012
Amateur Built:
Airworthiness Certificate: Restricted (Special)
Serial Number: H80-108
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 1
Date/Type of Last Inspection: May 3, 2020 Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 10500 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Turbo prop
Airframe Total Time: 2884.99 Hrs as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: General Electric
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series: H80-100
Registered Owner: R
ated Power: 800 Horsepower
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: K48A,270 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 11 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 08:55 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 45°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 4 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 260°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.02 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 25°C / 35°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Hawkinsville, GA (PVT)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Hawkinsville, GA
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time:
Type of Airspace: Class G
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 32.195278,-83.47583(est)
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