Casualties unknown

Agricultural Aircraft Collides with Powerlines During Crop Dusting Operation (N731AK)

Stanford, TX, US

On July 21, 1982, a Cessna 188B (registration N731AK) operated by Allied Sprayers Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Stanford, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Collision with power lines during agricultural spraying operations. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

An agricultural aircraft collided with the lower of two power lines while spraying a field, rolling inverted before striking the ground after clearing the higher wires.

What happened

The pilot was conducting an aerial application operation on a 76-acre field. At the time of the incident, approximately 75 percent of the designated area had been treated with the spray material. Witnesses observed the aircraft in close proximity to two sets of overhead powerlines.

The aircraft successfully cleared the higher set of wires. However, as it continued its flight path, the landing gear made contact with the lower set of wires. This interaction caused the aircraft to roll into an inverted position immediately before impacting the ground.

Probable cause

Collision with power lines during agricultural spraying operations.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20020917X03455. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.