On June 29, 1989, an Air Tractor AT-301 (registration N8773S) was involved in an aviation accident near Americus, GA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY SURVEY THE AREA IN WHICH HE WOULD BE CONDUCTING AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHTS AND HIS FAILURE TO SEE AND AVOID POWERLINES WHILE PERFORMING AERIAL APPLICATION. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An agricultural aircraft struck power lines while starting a swath run to spray a peanut field. The left wing tip was severed, and the aircraft impacted the ground about 450 feet from the lines. No mechanical malfunction was found.
Accident Overview
The accident occurred while the aircraft was performing an aerial application mission. It was at the start of a swath run over a peanut field. During this run, the aircraft struck the lower three wires of a power line. The impact caused a section of the left wing tip to separate from the aircraft. The aircraft then continued and made initial contact with the ground approximately 450 feet from the power lines.
Meteorological Conditions
At the time of the accident, visual meteorological conditions were prevailing.
Investigation Findings
An investigation was conducted, which found no evidence of a system or mechanical malfunction. Autopsy and toxicology tests performed on the involved individual returned negative results for alcohol, drugs, cyanide, and other compounds.