The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Helena, Montana
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
CJ Air LLC
Location: Lenore, Idaho
Accident Number: WPR20CA179
Date & Time: June 12, 2020, 15:00 Local
Registration: N40226
Aircraft: Ayres S2R
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Defining Event: Low altitude operation/event
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 137: Agricultural
Analysis
The pilot reported that prior to conducting an aerial application on a field, he circled the field twice to look for obstacles. As he completed his first aerial application pass, he observed power lines that he did not previously see. Being too close to climb above them, the pilot chose to fly underneath the power lines. The airplane subsequently struck a guy wire and impacted terrain. The fuselage and wings were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions 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 power lines while maneuvering during an aerial application flight, which resulted in a wire strike.
Findings
Personnel issues Monitoring environment - Pilot
Environmental issues Wire - Awareness of condition
Factual Information
History of Flight
Maneuvering-low-alt flying Low altitude operation/event (Defining event)
Maneuvering-low-alt flying Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Commercial
Age: 55, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land
Seat Occupied: Center
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 Without waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: July 9, 2019
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: July 26, 2018
Flight Time: 9693 hours (Total, all aircraft), 4000 hours (Total, this make and model), 9693 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 395 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 326 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 12 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Ayres
Registration: N40226
Model/Series: S2R T34
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1981
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Restricted (Special)
Serial Number: T34-046DC
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 1
Date/Type of Last Inspection: Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.:
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: Turbo prop
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: Pratt & Whitney
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series: PT6-34AG
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 750 Horsepower
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Agricultural aircraft (137)
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KLWS, 1436 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 21 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 20:56 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 257°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction: Turbulence Severity
Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 29.84 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 27°C / 14°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Craigmont, ID (S89)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Craigmont, ID (S89)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 13:45 Local
Type of Airspace: Class G
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 46.454723,-116.524169(est)